When NHL game management goes awry

Photo by Francois Lacasse/NHLI via Getty ImagesTwo minutes into the third period, the Montreal Canadiens were starting to engage cruise control. A 4-3 intermission lead had quickly expanded to 6-3, and the visitors were the proud owners of the last five tallies — and all the momentum in the world. A frustrated Torey Krug took Nick Suzuki into the boards, cross-checking and face-washing the Canadiens’ captain well after the puck was gone.

Referees Jon McIsaac (a 10-year veteran at the NHL level) and Brandon Schrader (who made his debut in 2019) whistled Krug for cross-checking. Stunningly, they also hauled Suzuki to the penalty box, for the grievious offence of taking Krug’s abuse with a…