Should we consider refs as well when betting NHL?

[ZdenoK]

Mike Leggo, you probably know him as THE ref who puked in Pittsburgh yesterday and left the game premature. He is back tonight as one of the two main refs in Pittsburgh-Montreal match. Those who were watching the 1st period should recognize the huge misscalls the duo made. It's the same guy who called phantom interference on Detroit when Holtby tripped on his own and they scored vs Washington earlier in the season. Or the ref duo who missed puck hitting the netting when Jackets scored on Bruins and made Jack Edwards rage. I just read the same thing happened in Rangers-Sabres match to give NY the 1-0 lead earlier tonight.

Same as starting goalies you can find the "starting" refs here prior to the match: http://scoutingtherefs.com/category/tonights-officials/

So my question is should we also consider this when capping matches and just avoid stinkers such as Mike Leggo?

[NavsPicks]

How do you cap refs ... If some call more penalties sure but bad calls? You're reaching here pal..

[ZdenoK]

How do you cap refs ... If some call more penalties sure but bad calls? You're reaching here pal..

You see a duo who are known to make bad calls -> you don't bet on that match.

[OTL]

I don't, but I don't really bet totals either. As far as the officials affecting the winner of an NHL game, if you think you can cap that you are reaching.

[NavsPicks]

You see a duo who are known to make bad calls -> you don't bet on that match.

Okay but bad calls go both ways? Not like refs make bad calls against away teams only or home teams only . Only thing I see it effecting is under bets

[mickjam42]

Makes me think of Mitch and Ali's Under Umpire Streakers thread. Certain umps have a bigger stike zone than others, they used this to cap baseball unders pretty damned well.

http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/baseball-betting/2908305-under-umpire-streakers.html

I would see refs that call a lot of penalties in the same vein, that in certain situations could create a good over play. Or conversely, refs that pocket the whistle leading to good under scenarios.

[ZdenoK]

Okay but bad calls go both ways? Not like refs make bad calls against away teams only or home teams only . Only thing I see it effecting is under bets

Yes, it can go either way but you won't know which way it will go and since certain refs are bound to make crappy calls often they can often cost you money. Which wouldn't happen if you checked prior to the match and stay away from it. Of course you can be happy when they make a call in your favor but at least I'm not born under a lucky star then. You have a matchup of even teams, should be a derby, you think you have chosen a winner, check to see the refs, uh-oh not these morons again, stay away from it and not get frustrated over the refs factor which shouldn't be present in a league such as NHL.

[ZdenoK]

Some books are offering bets on penalty minutes totals so that would be interesting if there would be stats for refs calling penalties.

http://scoutingtherefs.com/nhl-referee-stats/

Sort by penalties. I'll try to keep an eye on it to see if there is a trend.