Season 7, Episode 35
May 1, 2026
On this week’s jam-packed #RefsPodcast:
- Third jersey rules… and superstitions
- Sens’ Greig goes for the sucker-punch
- Pens’ Rust hair-pulling Flyers’ Martone
- Over the line… or not? Plenty of controversy at Oilers vs. Ducks on a goal-line play with the puck partially obscured by a skate
- Vegas scores twice in OT after their first game-winner came back for an offside
- Bruins’ Zadorov get fined for a cross-check during a stoppage… he should’ve gotten more
- Stars’ Benn lowers the lumber on Wild’s Ryan Hartman, picking up his fourth fine or suspension in the last five postseasons. He also deserved more for this one.
- Ducks’ Kreider gets away with boarding
- Habs’ Hutson causes a high stick on himself from Tampa’s Point
- Pens’ Lizotte goes spearfishing
- Oilers’ Hyman with the most distinct kicking motion we’ve seen all year
- Carolina’s Rod Brind’amour offers his thoughts on how the league can improve officiating and cut down on diving and embellishment.
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The Scouting The Refs Podcast is a weekly look at the world of officiating and player safety within the National Hockey League, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world. We’ll break down the calls and the rules behind them to help understand why a penalty or suspension was – or wasn’t – handed out.
Todd Lewis is a veteran broadcaster covering the NHL and other major league sports. Lewis is a former host on the NHL Network and on NHL Network Radio. He’s also worked for TSN, Sportsnet as a host/anchor and is a producer of other programs.
Josh Smith is the managing editor of Scouting the Refs, the leading independent site related to hockey officiating which follows hockey officials across the NHL, AHL, ECHL, and other leagues around the world, including news, rule changes and interpretations, suspensions, and statistics on officials and penalty calls.