It absolutely works both ways. Montreal has been called for some bogus penalties in this series, without a doubt.

But I find it really hard to believe that four officials could all miss how blatantly late Prust's check on Stepan was. Yet, Carcillo bumps Prust and there was zero hesitation on that one.

Subban also got away with a myriad of penalties last night yet he never sat for a second in the penalty box.

But on the same hand, McDonagh slashed Gallagher, pretty obviously at that, and the refs didn't even flinch.

Officiating is an absolute disgrace in the NHL today.
- MidnightMarauder

The puck was much closer to Prust on the Carcillo penalty then the Stepan hit that's for sure

I think the officiating sucks because it isn't consistent, but isn't what you said above what we should be striving for (i.e. consistency from game to game/night to night) ? I thought many of the "old guard" sucked, BTW.
- MadCap2008

But at least it was called the same way with the old guard. Sure you had some refs that seemed to have a hard-on for certain teams, but overall you usually could expect most games to be called the same.

Unfortunately, after the refs probably realized they blew that call, you knew if someone breathed on Prust they were going to call it. They didn't want the game to get out of their control. And that's another issue where the refs make things worse by involving themselves when they shouldn't. All they had to do was let Carcillo and Prust fight, and that would have been the end of it.
- mdw7413

You know how to settle a game down? Make the call on the play that started everything to begin with. If Prust got called for the hit perhaps Carcillo settles down and the team doesn't all look for immediate retribution. But the fact Prust was able to lug around with impunity, while the refs skated around with their heads up their @sses, the Rangers likely felt they had to square this up on their own.

Carcillo's initial penalty doesn't even categorize as a hit to ignite a riot. Prust was behind his own net and Carcillo bumped into him. The officials blew it last night, plain and simple.

This wasn't the cause of why the Rangers lost though. Not going the Therrien rout of lame excuses.

Rangers need to focus here and understand that game 4 is a must win. They win that game they win the series IMO.

The puck was much closer to Prust on the Carcillo penalty then the Stepan hit that's for sure
- cranford93

Of course it was but this still doesn't excuse Carcillo forgetting to never touch an official.

You know how to settle a game down? Make the call on the play that started everything to begin with. If Prust got called for the hit perhaps Carcillo settles down and the team doesn't all look for immediate retribution. But the fact Prust was able to lug around with impunity, while the refs skated around with their heads up their @sses, the Rangers likely felt they had to square this up on their own.

Carcillo's initial penalty doesn't even categorize as a hit to ignite a riot. Prust was behind his own net and Carcillo bumped into him. The officials blew it last night, plain and simple.

This wasn't the cause of why the Rangers lost though. Not going the Therrien rout of lame excuses.
- MidnightMarauder

Agree with everything you said, but after they (frank)ed up the Prust call, you knew they went out of their way to make sure nothing else would happen. Which actually just makes things worse.

Rangers need to focus here and understand that game 4 is a must win. They win that game they win the series IMO.
- adwolf130

Sunday is the series. Montreal wins, they have all the momentum, regardless of the fact Dustin Tokarski is the starting goalie or not.

Rangers win, they have a stranglehold and would be stunned if Montreal can rally back.

Of course it was but this still doesn't excuse Carcillo forgetting to never touch an official.
- MidnightMarauder

yeah, that wasn't too bright.

Also, it's not the first time he does that. He did it in his first AHL game and in the ECHL as well. Suspended both times.

Of course it was but this still doesn't excuse Carcillo forgetting to never touch an official.
- MidnightMarauder

I didn't have a problem with Carcillo basically pushing back and basically saying get the hell off me. Happens every game in a scrum. I didn't realize that Carcillo popped him in the jaw on the way back to the box till they slowed the video down. That deserves at the least 10 games. Surprised by that as Carcillo has been very good for us, and had some really clutch goals this year.

I didn't have a problem with Carcillo basically pushing back and basically saying get the hell off me. Happens every game in a scrum. I didn't realize that Carcillo popped him in the jaw on the way back to the box till they slowed the video down. That deserves at the least 10 games. Surprised by that as Carcillo has been very good for us, and had some really clutch goals this year.
- mdw7413

I think the elbow was accidental. The linesman looked like he was ready to make a move on Carcillo. He was pretty friggen close enough to Carcillo to suggest exactly that.

Expect Carcillo to be suspended for the rest of the postseason; I am ready for that ruling to come down at some point today.

Of course it was but this still doesn't excuse Carcillo forgetting to never touch an official.
- MidnightMarauder

No, bottom line is he lost it, still don't know why Driscoll tried to man handle him like he was involved with anything other than observing a fight

One thing I'd like to see more, is the linesmen step up and say when player X deserves a penalty. I'm not sure, but I think they are allowed to do that, but they rarely, if ever do.
- Pecafan Fan

I *think* they can. But only for majors.

I think the elbow was accidental. The linesman looked like he was ready to make a move on Carcillo. He was pretty friggen close enough to Carcillo to suggest exactly that.

Expect Carcillo to be suspended for the rest of the postseason; I am ready for that ruling to come down at some point today.
- MidnightMarauder

Yeah that's a tough one, only Carcillo knows what the intent was. Didn't realize how big that Linesman was. Either way, I agree, he is done.

If Brassard isn't ready to go by Sunday, I guess Miller will be getting the call, or maybe Fast again.

I *think* they can. But only for majors.
- TomTT

Possible. Like I said, I'm not exactly sure of what they can or can't do.

No, bottom line is he lost it, still don't know why Driscoll tried to man handle him like he was involved with anything other than observing a fight
- cranford93

Thats what I was saying before, not defending Carcillo in anyway, but the refs have no feel for a game, and over react in the opposite way when they miss something.

No, bottom line is he lost it, still don't know why Driscoll tried to man handle him like he was involved with anything other than observing a fight
- cranford93

This typified how incompetent the officials were last night. Carcillo wasn't going to jump in and the linesman had him by the collar.

Give me a break.

Possible. Like I said, I'm not exactly sure of what they can or can't do.
- Pecafan Fan

Obviously not looking for too many men on the ice.

Stepan has a broken Jaw and is out, eye for an eye right, F this crap

Instead of Montreal playing with 11 for the rest of the game it was us
- cranford93

So its montreals fault that Carcillo hits the ref

Stepan has a broken Jaw and is out, eye for an eye right, F this crap
- cranford93

But he didn't make contact with his head. I read it from Habs fans.

That is a shame, just when his line was doing well with the addition of Kreider.

So its montreals fault that Carcillo hits the ref
- MTL1

What? If Prust gets thrown out like he should you'd be down to 11 and the Carcillo event never happens, the refs totally screwed that whole scenario up

You must be proud that the "Victim" Habs have now knocked out Stepan and Brassard but let's hear more about Price, f'ing babies

What? If Prust gets thrown out like he should you'd be down to 11 and the Carcillo event never happens, the refs totally screwed that whole scenario up

You must be proud that the "Victim" Habs have now knocked out Stepan and Brassard but let's hear more about Price, f'ing babies
- cranford93

You certainly do provide great entertainment

You certainly do provide great entertainment
- MTL1

You certainly do provide great entertainment
- MTL1

That's it deflect the issue

Wow.... this is some disheartening news on Step's jaw. Prust should be proud of his effort to hurt someone.