After three games, the Pens are down 2 games to 1 to the Sens. The Officiating has stayed as bad as the regular season, even worse at times. Through three games, Sidney Crosby has three goals and two assists, but has had two goals disallowed on top of that. One would have closed game 1's deficit to 4-2 early in the third, and the Pens later scored twice more. In Game three, it would have tied the game - only to have been blown dead on a whistle just before the puck crossed the line due to a roughing scrum in the neutral zone. Instead of tied 2-2, Ottawa scores shortly thereafter to go up 3-1, and all but clinch the game.
One wonders why Kerry Fraser is sitting out these playoffs, as one of the most senior referees. He could do no worse than the inconsistent product that is being trotted out - and it cuts both ways. Serious infractions such as high sticks, punches to faces, blatant interference and boarding go uncalled, while ticky-tack hooks and holds are being called (at times). And by in large the poor calling is across the board, but players don't know what will be called and what won't.
For Pittsburgh, it means they have to win 3 out of 4, and win a second game on Ottawa ice while holding serve at home. Not impossible - but it is near critical they win Game 4 on Tuesday to tie the series at 2 games apiece. Then it becomes a best two out of three.
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