On Saturday night, the Montreal Canadiens were soundly defeated by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who were playing in their first game since losing captain John Tavares to a horrific looking injury in Game 1. Despite missing a crucial cog in their offence in John Tavares, the Leafs dominated the Habs offensively in Game 2, ultimately winning 5 - 1 despite goaltender Carey Price's best efforts over the first two games of the season.
There are a number of reasons why the Habs were outclassed in this one, but in a move that appears to be becoming a theme in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme was critical of the officiating on the ice following his team's defeat. Ducharme wasn't as forthright as some of the other coaches have been so far in the playoffs, but there was no mistaking his remarks for anything other than a scathing critique of the NHL's officiating crew.
On the other hand, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe did not seem shocked by the game's outcome, instead blaming the Canadiens for playing a style of hockey that encourages penalties.
Although Ducharme's comments may come off as sour grapes following a tough loss for his team, he has not been the only coach to speak out against the officiating in the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far. Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour was rather blunt last week when he openly stated that he felt his team was competing against both the Nashville Predators and the officials on the ice.
"We played great. We played hard. We're playing a great team. ... But we're also fighting the refs," said Brind'Amour. "That's plain and simple. You can't tell me two games in a row we get seven, eight penalties and they get three. And when the game's this even - it's not right."
