Do you think that the NHL is rigged by Bettman?

Question

I think Gary Bettman has the Stanley Cup scripted in order to get more ratings. How about you?

Seriously, how many 5 on 3 penalties can be penalized to the Redwings in one series? It's a record for sure

Answer 1

Many people may call this a conspiracy theory, but what they fail to see is how well it is scripted.

Obviously I don't believe there is an actual game plan, but I am betting on some deep internal level, the refs are handicapping the series for the Penguins.  A call against Detroit would be okay if the same play was called when committed by the Penguins.  But, and here's the kicker, that isn't the case.  Just watching the game, there are obvious plays that should be penalties but go uncalled.  This is understandable.  Except, go back to the first period penalty on Datsyuk last game.  Watching the replays, there was no way the ref could even see the play as he was smartly getting out of the way.  Instead of just realizing that not everything can be seen, he decides to call a penalty cause he "thought" one should be called, not that one was deserved.

The big problem for the NHL is that when avid hockey fans start discussing poor officiating (and more so when the coaches do so), the publicity builds.  With so many media outlets, the video will be captured and replayed over and over.  This just makes regular, non-avid viewers start questioning the quality of the game.  Sure, some people might become real fans by getting angry at the refs, but is that really what the NHL wants?

Instead of dismissing complaints as just a conspiracy theory, people need to look at what incentives the NHL faces.  Sure, the Wings winning on home ice is big, but if they can win in Pitt or better yet, game 7?  Imagine the money and viewers involved.  Is it really that odd to suppose that some crazy league that decided to cancel a season over money wouldn't consider quasi-calls to heighten excitement?

Answer 2

Yes. He got the script from the writers of WWE.  How did you find out? Are you CIA?

Answer 3

There have only been 2 in this series, there were 6 last year.  Hardly sounds like scripting to me.

Game #1 Summary

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

Game #2 Summary

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

Game #3 Summary

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

Game #4 Summary (featuring the 1st 5-on-3 of the series)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

Game #5 Summary

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

Game #6 Summary (featuring the 2nd 5-on-3)

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid...

For the record, this is the fewest 5-on-3's in a Stanley Cup finals series since Buffalo/Dallas which also only had 2.

Answer 4

Go away.

Answer 5

Take off the tin foil hat, there are no aliens.Isn't your mommy telling you to go to bed?