The Kings definitely have the physical advantage but that can be said when you compare them to just about any other team in the NHL. They play a bruising, wear-you-down style along with solid defense and very stout goaltending so, hell yeah, they present a formidable force. The Rangers only real advantage is their speed with guys like Hagelin and Kreider....but speed can make or break a game so this too presents a significant weapon that we have already seen the Rangers use to their advantage in this series so far.
As far as guys being in the crease, that's just the way the NHL is these days. You see it all the time. I remember the day where goals were disallowed all the time due to players being in the crease (in those days, a player was allowed to have one skate and his stick in the crease but any goal would be disallowed that was scored when a player had both skates in the blue paint). Today's NHL rule 78.5 addresses disallowed goals as follows:
[Quote]78.5 Disallowed Goals – Apparent goals shall be disallowed by the Referee and the appropriate announcement made by the Public Address Announcer for the following reasons:
(i) When the puck has been directed, batted or thrown into the net by an attacking player other than with a stick.
(ii) When the puck has been kicked using a distinct kicking motion.
(iii) When the puck has deflected directly into the net off an official.
(iv) When a goal has been scored and an ineligible player is on the ice.
(v) When an attacking player has interfered with a goalkeeper in his goal crease.
(vi) When the puck has entered the net after making contact with an attacking player’s stick that is above the height of the crossbar. Where the puck makes contact with the stick is the determining factor. See 38.4(vi).
(vii) When video review confirms the scoring of a goal at one end of the ice, any goal scored at the other end on the same play must be disallowed.
(viii) When a Linesman reports a double-minor penalty for high-sticking, a major penalty or a match penalty to the Referee following the scoring of a goal by the offending team, the goal must be disallowed and the appropriate penalty assessed.
(ix) When a goalkeeper has been pushed into the net together with the puck after making a save. See also 69.6.
(x) When the net becomes displaced accidentally. The goal frame is considered to be displaced if either or both goal pegs are no longer in their respective holes in the ice, or the net has come completely off one or both pegs, prior to or as the puck enters the goal.
(xi) During the delayed calling of a penalty, the offending team cannot score unless the non-offending team shoots the puck into their own net. This shall mean that a deflection off an offending player, or any physical action by an offending player that may cause the puck to enter the non-offending team’s goal, shall not be considered a legal goal. Play shall be stopped before the puck enters the net (whenever possible) and the signaled penalty assessed to the offending team.
(xii) When the Referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle.
(xiii) Any goal scored, other than as covered by the official rules, shall not be allowed.[/Quote]
Subheading V only stipulates "goaltender interference" so there is no "in the crease" and the call is strictly a judgment by the official. Golatenders aren't as quick to slash or crosscheck opposing forwards who sit in the crease since it is not illegal to do so as long as there is no goaltender interference. I've seen penalties called against goalies for taking retaliatory action so the old days are pretty much over, Bob.
