Connor McDavid with the Edmonton Oilers Photo credit: Perry Nelson – Imagn Images

The Edmonton Oilers and St. Louis Blues game quickly developed fireworks in the first period, causing some major debate around the judgements from referees.

The Oilers entered this game with a heavily depleted squad, but games against the Blues have been fiery this year, and tonight was no exception.

Referees make several questionable calls leading to chaos in Oilers Blues game

The fiery first period was instigated by Oilers pest Corey Perry, who flew into the Blues crease and made contact with Binngton’s head while he was down.

This caused Binnington to retaliate by knocking Corey Perry down in the middle of play, and set off chaos all around the ice.

The referees did accurately call a double minor on Binnington, a minor on Perry, and penalties for the fights, but they lost control after that – which raises some significant debate on officiating before playoffs.

Blues head coach wasn’t happy with the play at all, saying that while he does respect Perry, his actions weren’t a hockey play at all.

Jeff Skinner was mobbed by Blues forward Tyler Tucker, got interfered with going up the ice, and then lost his marbles on the referee which lead to a misconduct. Skinner was yelling so passionately at the ref, than another had to step in to hold him back.

Referees losing control of Oilers Blues game raises debate on officiating

The referees will say that players play through infractions, but they can’t give out penalties for complaints on such brutal missed calls.

Officials deserve the criticism perhaps more than anyone else, and in the playoffs, it’s just going to get worse. Jason Gregor called out the referees for not dishing out the misconduct call, instead of taking the criticism.

Not only that, there’s just no consistency. Oilers fans have pointed out that NHL rules state Binnington should’ve been ejected, but no such penalty was called.

If, in the judgment of the referee, a goalkeeper uses his blocking glove to punch an opponent in an attempt to deliberately injure an opponent, a match penalty may be assessed.

– NHL Rule 51.3

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer mentioned at intermission that perhaps the team will look to get tougher in the offseason. In a game like this, when the Blues are using physicality to intimate the Oilers skill, getting some more toughness makes sense.