Calls even home/road (49.4% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Scott Cherrey #50, Greg Devorski #54
Both teams have a strong power play (Pittsburgh #1 25.5%, Washington #2 23.2%). The Penguins are much better on the penalty kill (#1, 87.2%) than the 23rd-ranked Caps (80.3%). Worse is that Washington is 28th in penalties (12.8min/gm), compared to Pittsburgh’s 10.7 (16th). That works out to about one more power play for the Penguins, with the Caps challenged to kill it off.
Nashville Predators at Ottawa Senators
Referees:
Eric Furlatt #27
4.13 minor penalties per game
12.4 total PIM per game
Favors home team (48.1% minors called vs. home)
Greg Kimmerly #18
3.44 minor penalties per game
10.5 total PIM per game
Calls even home/road (49.3% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Steve Barton #59, Derek Nansen #70
The Sens have allowed power play goals in six straight games (PK: 19/27, 70.3%); Ottawa is 2-4-0 over that run. On the flip side, Nashville hasn’t scored a power play goal yet this month, going 0-for-15 in four games.
Phoenix Coyotes at Tampa Bay Lightning
Referees:
Rob Martell #26
3.18 minor penalties per game
9.0 total PIM per game
Favors home team (47.0% minors called vs. home)
Francois St. Laurent #38
4.1 minor penalties per game
12.8 total PIM per game
Favors home team (48.5% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Pierre Racicot #65, Trent Knorr #63
Knorr, a rookie official, spent his first five games of the season as a referee. Since the new year, he’s been working the lines in the NHL (three games) and in the AHL.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Dallas Stars
Referees:
Francis Charron #6
3.66 minor penalties per game
10.0 total PIM per game
Calls even home/road (49.4% minors called vs. home)
Marc Joannette #25
3.60 minor penalties per game
10.7 total PIM per game
Favors home team (47.6% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Jonny Murray #95, Don Henderson #91
Winnipeg Jets at Colorado Avalanche
Referees:
Mike Hasenfratz #2
3.75 minor penalties per game
10.3 total PIM per game
Favors home team (47.2% minors called vs. home)
Dan O’Rourke #9
3.92 minor penalties per game
11.5 total PIM per game
Favors home team (46.2% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Ryan Galloway #82, Bryan Pancich #94
Los Angeles Kings at Calgary Flames
Referees:
Gord Dwyer #19
4.05 minor penalties per game
12.2 total PIM per game
Favors home team (48.8% minors called vs. home)
Brad Meier #34
4.06 minor penalties per game
12.6 total PIM per game
Favors road team (52.5% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Mike Cvik #88, Brian Mach #78
Calgary has registered a power play goal in just two of their past 12 games. The Kings have scored power play goals in four straight, while going a perfect 10-for-10 on the penalty kill over that span. The Kings have successfully killed off their last 15 penalties, dating back to February 26.
New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks
Referees:
Brian Pochmara #16
4.26 minor penalties per game
12.8 total PIM per game
Favors home team (47.6% minors called vs. home)
Ian Walsh #29
3.57 minor penalties per game
9.3 total PIM per game
Favors home team (45.7% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Lonnie Cameron #74, Jay Sharrers #57
Toronto Maple Leafs at Anaheim Ducks
Referees:
Dave Jackson #8
4.03 minor penalties per game
12.2 total PIM per game
Favors home team (48.6% minors called vs. home)
Frederick L’Ecuyer #17
3.69 minor penalties per game
9.7 total PIM per game
Favors home team (44.4% minors called vs. home)
Linesmen: Kiel Murchison #79, Brad Lazarowich #86
With the Leafs near the bottom of the league on the penalty kill (28th, 77.9%) and penalties (26th, – 12.6min/game), the referees could tip the scales in the Ducks’ favor. The Leafs haven’t done much offensively on special teams. They’ve gone eight straight games without a power play goal.
