We can all remember a few seasons back when there were even more reviews of goals then there is now. It basically concerned the rule that the puck must proceed the shooter into an already recently enlarged crease and if a goal was scored, it would not count if there was even a toe of a skate in the crease before the puck.

All of this changed when the "Hockey Geniuses" decided that the pro sport needed more scoring to compete with higher scoring, Football, Baseball, and Basketball, - and not like low scoring Soccer, - generally a laggard in popularity in North America.

More penalties for delay of game, and for minor holding infractions were handed out. Stiffer interpretation of all contact infractions were more stringently enforced. The idea was to increase the number of power plays and therefore scoring. More recently an increase in major injuries and concussions have led to tougher calls, more penalties, fines, and suspensions.

Somehow the opposite has occurred in the crease area. Its almost become an open season against the goalie. Interference calls for and against the goalies have led to some very subjective calls. Instead of fast whistles during scrums now occurring regularly in front of the goalies, - bodies go flying and diving and and players seem to scrimmage against each until somehow in too many cases a goal is determined upon review to have crossed the goal line before a whistle if at all was sounded or heard. The result is that big bulky goalies and equally big puck clearing Defensemen are now much in demand.

My two biggest concerns in particular while watching the play-offs is, 1. That the Goalie, the most important player on the ice gets hurt not by a puck but by player contact in the crease and 2. The Stanley Cup is decided by a goal in an overtime scrum.

Your Thoughts?