Since The NHL Makes Players Police Themselves

Team: 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 7, 2021

Published: Dec. 7, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

I am among the vocal majority that believe teams like Toronto and Pittsburgh are not physically abrasive enough to overcome the heavy forechecking and disciplined defensive teams that excel during the playoffs. While I still maintain that belief, I don't blame the players for what happened against the Jets on Sunday. As much as I support the notion of engaging in physicality as a way of intimidating star players, I don't agree if the opposition is directly infringing the rules of the game.

When Dubois grabbed Matthews, he should've been called for interference since he was nowhere near the puck when that happened. Pionk's trip on Sandin was a blatant slew foot (not the first time he's done something like this), so it was inevitable that Spezza and Simmonds would retaliate since the officials didn't do anything.

Honestly, this is not the first time something like this has happened. For example, last season, Artemi Panarin had to fight Tom Wilson because the Caps player was cross-checked Buchnevich on the head before punching the neck area multiple times. During the playoffs, the Penguins' entire 1st forward line and defense pairing got misconducts because Scott Mayfield cross-checked Crosby in the head when the Penguins player was protecting his goalie from giving up a rebound.

It seems like a common theme now that weaker teams try to intimidate or injure the opposing team's top players by playing extremely physical. I don't mind this type of strategy, but it has to be in accordance to the written rules of the game. Cross checking someone after the whistle or away from the puck, intentionally jumping at opposing players with elbows and slew footing are not examples of this.

At this point it really feels like the NHL is trying to encourage teams to play against the rules. The amount of missed calls that happen every season is shocking. I think the fact that McDavid hasn't drawn any penalties in the last 2 playoffs is all we need to know, Crosby has faced a similar issue throughout his career. The NHL puts the onus on the players to protect themselves and that is ultimately going to be the downfall of their health.

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