Bruce Cassidy fined $25,000 for criticizing officials after Bruins’ Game 5 loss

When Bruce Cassidy ripped the officials after the Bruins lost Game 5 to the Islanders Monday night, he seemed to make sure he got his money's worth.

Cassidy had to know this was coming: the NHL announced on Tuesday that Cassidy has been fined $25,000 for "public comments critical of the officiating," after egregiously slanted calls helped tilt Game 5 in favor of the Islanders. The fine money will go to the NHL Foundation.

Cassidy said, in part: "They just need to be better than that. Quit listening to these outside influences. I don't think they were great tonight."

Preceding that comment was an accusation that the Isles "sell a narrative" to officials that they're cleaner than they are, and a staunch defense of Patrice Bergeron after the Bruins captain was kicked out of the faceoff dot in his first attempt.

This could go one of two ways: either Cassidy's plea for more consistent officiating will finally be heard, or the calls will only get worse for the Bruins out of spite. The worst part is that the officials are part of the conversation in the first place.

Even if more bad calls happen, the Bruins still need to overcome them with better penalty killing and goaltending. And they only have one more chance to do so, with a do-or-die Game 6 coming up on Wednesday night at Nassau Coliseum.

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.