Game Management in the NHL

The NHL uses, for various reasons, what I like to call "Game Management".  There - it's been said.  And it is on the Internet so it must be true, right?

Actually, it is true.  And we all know it.  But what is it?  What is "Game Management"?

It is the NHL's practice of controlling the outcome of games by controlling aspects of each game.  Before we look at "why", lets look at "how" the NHL manages games in this post.


How the NHL Manages their Games

The NHL manages their games by using their officials to influence hockey games through penalty calls or non-calls.  If we watch an NHL game with a copy of the NHL Rulebook in our hands, you will notice that a significant amount of the gameplay rules are not called as they appear in writing. When reviewing the rulebook, referees are granted discretion in determining the severity of a penalty (Major vs Minor) but not in calling the penalty.  The word "Any" is used to describe the criteria for calling a penalty, as in Any Action... or ...any player....  Check out the rulebook for more instances, but the fact remains that referees are not provided the right to discretion when calling penalties, if we look at the rulebook.  If a referee sees a penalty they should be calling the penalty.  But they don't. 

If you've ever watched a NHL Hockey game, you have examples of obvious penalties that were not called.  You've seen, and probably yelled about, that missed hooking call.  Or that tripping penalty that didn't get called.  Sure, hockey is a fast game and the referees have a tough job, but there is something else, a certain "je ne sais quoi".

Actually, je sais quoi.  The referees manage hockey games.  Maybe not every game, but most.  How?  They are deciding which penalties to call at what times.  They have penalty formulas to manage games.  These formulas are the the patterns used by the referees during games to call penalties.  Here are three formula's I've been able to identify:
  1.The "Keep it Fair" formula.  The referees will call the game to ensure that both teams will end up with the same number of penalties.  This formula has not been used as much since the lockout, but you'll still see it from time to time.
  2. The "Home Team".  The penalties are called with an eye to keeping the hometown fans happy with the opposing teams (aka The Heel) getting the bulk of called penalties regardless of the actual infractions that occur on the ice.
  3. The "Keep it Close" formula.  This is the most common formula, and has been used since ...well, ever. Here is how it works:
       a. Call the penalties pretty even through the first half of the game until a lead is built.  The new twist to this is that the 5-on-3 situations have to bee even as well.
       b. Start calling penalties against the leading team, but don't make it too obvious.  They may even throw in another 5-on-3 as well.
       c. With between eight to fourteen minutes left, call a penalty against the trailing team. 
       d. In fact, if a lot of penalties are being called against the leading team the referee can call another penalty against the trailing team - for appearances, y'know?

This post's contention, which has been logically laid out above, is that NHL referees actively attempt to influence the score and even outcome of NHL games.

Why?