from Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post,

In the midst of a conversation about the race for the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading scorer, John Tavares brings up the officiating. Not as a chance for a slight or to make an excuse, but because it’s inevitable.

“I’ve said this before and I don’t try to be critical of it, but there is less being called,” the Islanders captain told The Post this week. “It’s just part of the game. If there’s less being let go, then there’s less opportunity to create time and space. There is a little more let go and fewer power plays.”

Tavares scored another goal Thursday night during a 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets in Columbus, Ohio, keeping pace with Alex Ovechkin with 79 points, one behind league leader Sidney Crosby. If Crosby’s pace of 1.11 points-per-game stays close to form, he will finish with between 85 and 86 points.

The last time a full-season Art Ross winner had so few points? Try 1962-63, when Gordie Howe won it with 86 points. There were six teams in the league then, and Howe had 86 points in 70 games.

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