Rising Misconduct Penalties and Player Frustration.
This NHL season has seen a significant increase in misconduct penalties, which has led to frustration among players and fans alike. Many feel that officials have become too sensitive, resulting in harsh penalties and ejections, which can significantly impact the outcome of games.
The sensitivity of officials has resulted in harsh penalties, such as Colorado Avalanche's Mikko Rantanen's unsportsmanlike penalty for telling the ref that he's "f---ing soft."
The lack of consistency in the officials' calls highlights the need for clearer guidelines and a more uniform interpretation of the rules.