NHL officials have been dutifully penalizing slashing and faceoff violations. Apparently, however, they’ve been cracking the whip too hard.
According to Sportsnet’s John Shannon, the league has sent a memo to its referees and linesmen to ease up on the standard to which they’ve called the two infractions.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/911731639054630912
The rate of slashing and faceoff violation calls has been one of the biggest stories of the pre-season.
The latter subject notably drew the ire of Boston Bruins left-winger Brad Marchand, who said the new faceoff standards are “an absolute joke.”
The league’s revised standard was designed to eliminate encroachment – or cheating – by centremen. They’re now required to stay within the faceoff markings until the puck is dropped. If a centre is kicked out of a faceoff and his replacement, too, violates the rule on the same draw, a minor penalty is assessed.
The slashing crackdown comes after long-term injuries suffered last season by players such as Calgary Flames left-winger Johnny Gaudreau and then-Ottawa Senators blueliner Marc Methot as a result of hacks to the hands.
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