The NHL Needs To Let These Guys Have Fights In The Playoffs

The NHL Playoffs are starting to get cooking. Game 1s are usually a bit of a feeling out process. Game 2 is when the hatred starts to percolate and frustrations mount. We've seen a few games get out of hand on the scoreboard and typically when that happens the games start to boil over. We've seen a few GREAT scraps so far in the playoffs like these

PEAK entertainment at the point of the game where everything is doubt. Both buildings were buzzing. The benches were alive. I was sitting on my couch getting chills. It was hostile, there was genuine passion, and you could tell that everyone on the ice wanted a piece of that action. 

Then...just like in the Minnesota-Dallas game the night before the refs turned into nannies. They completely took the air out of the game. Handing out game misconducts for looking at a guy the wrong way. The end of the Devils-Rangers game was left with like 6 guys on each bench. 

I will never understand why the league wants to legislate spontaneous fighting out of the game. Combat sports like UFC have never been more popular. The NHL is the only league in the world real fighting is baked into the DNA of the game in a genuine way. The NHL's job is to put on a show. They are in the entertainment business. Fighting, without a doubt, is one of the more entertaining aspects of the game. If you deny that fact then you are simply lying to yourself and you don't have a fucking clue. Look at how the crowd reacts in real time. It's fucking primal. The game needs more moments to get out of your seat. You're in the building or on your couch for 2.5 hours or more and there are roughly 6-10 times per game where you're compelled to get out of your seat. That isn't a criticism of the game. I LOVE hockey. It's my favorite sport. I just want a few more opportunities for peak entertainment. For genuine emotion. For goosebumps. Fighting brings that to the game. 

I am glad we are in a place where we don't have a ton of John Scott-esque guys taking up a roster spot. We are in an era where everyone in the lineup can skate, play, and contribute. That's a good thing. Having said that, when those guys who can skate, play, and contribute also want to put their fist through their opponent's orbital bone the league and the refs shouldn't get in the way of that. These guys are millionaire professional athlete adult men. If they want to have a scrap at the end of a game they should be allowed to. They know the risks. They know the culture. They are the ones battling out there. The players should decide how they want to play the game and how they want to stand up for their teammates. When the NHL remembers that they are in the entertainment business the ratings will go through the roof.