Re: NHL 2016.1 -- Anyone have a Laine on a new Auston?
The officiating has been consistent. But it's also been just different enough from the regular season that it may be tipping the balance of power from offense to defense. At least in a close match-up.
That will certainly be my mindset going into Game 4. I'm not quitting on the team; I'm in until the bitter end. Yes, objectivity requires an admission that I expect the end to be earlier and more bitter than usual. But getting to Game 6 is not a mission impossible.
The officiating is pretty much the same as it's been every season and every season certain teams (STL, Nash, Anaheim, etc) play the Hawks like the Preds are.
Clutch, grab, hold, interfere.
In years past the Hawks had just enough Shaw, Bolland, Ladd, Saad etc to get through when combined with the stars.
That's playoff hockey and I don't mind coz it's always been that way and sometimes the strategy works against the Hawks.
They simply need to be better or go home. Champions overcome.
I also don't think the NHL cares coz they know that the teams employing that approach typically won't win 3 rounds and enough talent will survive to make for a good Final.
To your last point, I never give up on this group. They've come back from so many different situations whether in one game or in a season or in a series.
It's not probable, but it's definitely possible.