The emerging theme; the officiating is not good during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs

I used to follow Damien Cox, but I couldn’t take all of his constant political rants in my twitter feed anymore. This article is worth a look because it does provoke thought. Here’s the problem. There’s an emerging theme coming out of this season’s 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The officiating has been poor, but in defense of the officials, the officiating has been poor all season long. Not just during the playoffs. That being said, the officiating is still better in the NHL game than it is in college game. Sidney Crosby, Gary Bettman’s favorite player was whining about the officiating after game one between the Boston Bruins and the Pittsburgh Penguins. I didn’t hear many whining when Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews was being mugged by the Detroit Red Wings.

Damien Cox, The Spin – For sure in Chicago and Boston, and certainly throughout Canada, and beyond, well, we'll see. In the world of the Bettman administration, this Stanley Cup final would only be better if all seven games were scheduled for Wrigley and Fenway.

Otherwise, two great American sports cities, and two terrific hockey towns, suggest this is some kind of peculiar reward from the hockey gods to the NHL owners and players after the grinding 113-day lockout that produced something for both side and nothing for the fans.

But the fact that a lot of people will be watching also means is that if the NHL were of such a mind, a correction right now would be most helpful.

That is, after allowing the rulebook to be stretched, perverted and torn to shreds over three rounds, now would be a good time to re-establish a little structure.

Hell, if they can change the standard halfway through the season and then again the playoffs, they can change it back again.

And let's face it, things have become rather ridiculous. Sure, the spirit of "letting them play" has merit within the sometimes dubious history of the game, but beyond that, allowing blatant fouls to go uncalled at key points of hockey games has turned these playoffs into a bit of a joke.

What do you think? Has the officiating in the NHL a problem during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Is there going to be a change how the games are called during the Stanley Cup Playoffs going forward?