One penalty during Game 4 between the St. Louis Blues and the Nashville Predators changed the complexion of the entire series.
A scrum between multiple Blues and Predators players led to offsetting minors for Joel Edmundson and Cody McLeod, but Blues tough guy Ryan Reaves - who joined the scrum as the odd man in - received an extra two minutes for roughing.
A penalty such as this - especially in the playoffs - usually requires the referee to provide an explanation to the coach or one of the players with a letter on his jersey. However, Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo received no such explanation.
"It's the first time I've ever seen a ref not even let the captain talk to him," Pietrangelo told Lou Korac of NHL.com. "I'm sure that's what the C's for."
It's highly unlikely Pietrangelo could have convinced the referee to send an even amount of Blues and Preds to the box for the scrum, but he has every right to plead his case.
There may be no evidence to prove such theory, but the more a well-respected captain such as Pietrangelo questions each call, the more likely his team is to get the benefit of the doubt on a future call.
The Predators, of course, would go on to score on the ensuing power play, giving them a 1-0 lead. It didn't wind up being the game-winner in the 2-1 contest, but it was no doubt a series-altering goal.
Reaves himself, was not pleased with the call.
"I completely disagree with that call. I think it's garbage in a playoff game like that," Reaves said in a postgame interview with Fox Sports Midwest. "You got a 10-man scrum and all of a sudden you're just picking one guy. You can't do that in a playoff game."
The difference between regular-season officiating and playoff officiating has been well documented. The refs are far more lenient in the postseason, not wanting a single penalty call to decide the game.
Unfortunately for the Blues, Reaves' penalty was a deciding factor in Game 4. They will begin their quest to win three straight games on Friday in St. Louis.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
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