Some of you may know Tags and Boxer, astute hockey
observers, who recently surfaced a compelling
point relating to Lamoriello and NHL officiating.

I had earlier posed that having a senior member of
the Executive Committee of the league's Board of
Governors gave undue influence on the officials in
favor of the Devils.

A quick data compilation paints a clear and stark
conclusion to the point.

The Data

This season, the Devils have received 441 power plays
to their opponents 349. That is a +92 differential.

In comparison, the Rangers have received 442 power
play opportunities to their opponents 486. That is
a -44 differential.

Let me put those numbers in more graphic detail.

The Devils were given an advantage of more than
one power play opportunity per game.

The Rangers power play discrepancy is the worst
of any playoff-bound team.

The combined differential between the two teams
puts the Rangers at a disadvantage of 136 power
plays, or more than 1.5 per game!

Perspective

The common assumption was the Devils would struggle
this season because their defensive clutch and grab
tactics would be neutralized.

So the question is whether a NJ roster that remains
essentially unchanged so radically altered its
tactics, or whether the team is being given a
different game of whistles.

It's the Gray Area

I am not proposing that the officials will permit
blatant hooking by the Devils to appease Lamoriello.
The advantage instead lies in the subtleties.

Interference with the puck carrier will often be
called because fans see that. But the Rangers rely
on passing, and interference away from the puck will
be a huge obstacle.

If Jagr has the puck and Nylander goes to the net,
can the Devil player hold up Nylander?

And conversely, if Straka puts a soft hook into
the ribs of a Devils on a backcheck, will he
receive the same latitude as Gomez?

And will Devils be permitted to take unpenalized
hacks at Hollweg, and will Ranger players be
penalized if they do the same to Gionta after
he whacks at Lundqvist?

Winning and Losing is A Fine Line

The Devils last two wins against the Rangers came
on one-goal margins.

And regardless of the gloomy outlook presented by
many, hockey is a game of confidence and momentum.
An early power play goal, the freedom to get open
for passes, can present a huge advantage.

The Devils should not get an advantage because
Lamoriello is behind their bench, or because officials
are accustomed to their style of play.

This issue needs to become a hot button issue now,
not midway through the series.

After a tremendous season by this Ranger gang of
underdogs, they deserve that support.

-Gabe

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