The Philadelphia Flyers have taken a commanding 3-0 series lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to multiple reports. Rasmus Ristolainen scored a goal in Game 3 and has averaged nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game in the playoffs, becoming a key factor in the Flyers' dominance. The Penguins now face elimination in Game 4, needing a win to keep their season alive.
Ristolainen, who received penalties in the first period of the first two games for actions after the whistle, believes he is being targeted by referees. According to Ilta-Sanomat, Ristolainen described feeling that other players get away with more after the whistle, saying he has to be careful not to go near anyone. He noted that from what he has watched on TV in previous years, there were not as many penalties, and he questioned why both teams cannot simply play five-on-five instead of being sent to the box for every little scuffle.
I didn't expect that guys would be sent to the box so easily for every little scuffle.
Penguins head coach Dan Muse blamed the referees for the loss in Game 3, stating that the Penguins had the game under control until the officials changed the momentum in the second period. "That's when the referees put everyone in the penalty box," Muse said in a press conference. He argued that the mass penalty situation shifted the game's momentum and prevented his team from recovering.
The second period featured a chaotic scrum after the whistle that led to all skaters on the ice being sent to the penalty box, according to multiple reports. Bryan Rust received a 2+2 minute penalty for hitting Travis Konecny while he was on the ice, while Sidney Crosby received a two-minute penalty for diving in the first period. Garnet Hathaway also received a penalty for high-sticking Crosby. The mass penalties created a four-on-four situation that disrupted the Penguins' rhythm.
From what I've watched on TV in previous years, there certainly weren't this many penalties.
Crosby's diving penalty was the first of his 21-season career, according to multiple reports. Crosby expressed frustration over the call, saying he did not understand it. "I don't really want to get into it. It happened. He hit me in the face with his stick. I don't know what more you want me to say. Make up whatever you want. It's fact. He got away with it. Good trade," Crosby said in a press conference. Muse defended his captain, stating emphatically, "Sid doesn't dive!" He added, "We haven't had a single diving penalty all season. And Crosby hasn't had one in 21 seasons. And now we're supposed to come into the playoffs and start diving?"
Muse accused Flyers players of always trying to scrum with Penguins players after the whistle, saying, "Our players have to defend themselves." Crosby described the scrum in the second period as a circus, saying, "It became a circus out there. I'm not sure why they decided to put five players in each penalty box. Yeah, I felt it changed the momentum. It took a long time. Obviously we didn't get it going after that." According to Hockeysverige, Bryan Rust described the scrum as a WWE match, noting that the Flyers benefited from it.
Then we play four-on-four. It's frustrating. If both teams are getting penalties, wouldn't it be better to just let it go and play five-on-five?
In Game 1, Porter Martone scored the game-winning goal, with Erik Karlsson recording an assist. However, Karlsson said the Penguins have only themselves to blame for the loss. "We have only ourselves to blame. We made too many bad passes in bad situations and made it difficult for ourselves, we didn't stick to the plan we had," Karlsson said in a press conference. This statement contrasts with the team's later focus on officiating, highlighting a dispute over whether the Penguins' losses are due to refereeing or their own performance.
Several unknowns remain as the series progresses. It is unclear whether the Penguins can avoid a sweep in Game 4, and whether the NHL will review the officiating from Game 3, particularly the diving call on Crosby. Ristolainen may need to adjust his play to avoid further penalties, and the Penguins could make lineup or strategy changes. Disciplinary action for the mass scrum has not been announced.
And I don't know why at all.
Or does it depend on who you're up against?
Others can do whatever they want. Break a stick over someone's back and swing however they want. And I was sent to the box pretty easily.
I learned from that that I can't go near anyone or do anything. I have to be careful.
I don't know how Rust got an extra penalty from that situation.
I don't really want to get into it. It happened. He hit me in the face with his stick. I don't know what more you want me to say. Make up whatever you want. It's fact. He got away with it. Good trade.
It became a circus out there. I'm not sure why they decided to put five players in each penalty box. Yeah, I felt it changed the momentum. It took a long time. Obviously we didn't get it going after that.
It became a bit of a WWE match in the second period. They benefited from it.