Nashville Predators: New Rules Mean New Opportunities

Face-off Infraction

The way the rule, standing now and has always stood, states:

"As per rule 76.4 in the NHL rulebook: When the face-off takes place at any of the nine face-off spots, the players taking part shall take their position so that they will stand squarely facing their opponent’s end of the rink, and clear of the ice markings (where applicable). The sticks of both players facing-off shall have the blade on the ice, within the designated white area. At the eight face-off spots (excluding center ice face-off spot), the defending player shall place his stick within the designated white area first followed immediately by the attacking player. When the face-off is conducted at the center ice face-off spot, the visiting player shall place his stick on the ice first."

This rule has been around for as long as I remember. Basically, the marks in the face-off circles are there for a reason. The skaters taking the face-off have to line up behind them. If they don’t, they get kicked out. Here’s where the new emphasis comes into play: If a team has two skaters kicked out on the same face-off attempt, that team gets a penalty.

It may seem like a minor issue but the referees have had no issue calling teams for it so far. Hopefully the Nashville Predators will take more power plays than they give.