The problem in the NHL is, again, IMO, the fact that the league doesn't allow direct retaliation versus the players that are running around causing the s***.
Used to be a guy like Ken Linseman, Dale Hunter, Matthew Barnaby, etc...you know, those players who are friggin ballbreakers...would eventually pay for their actions and an enforcer could take them on with no major repercussions.
Now? If they challenge a guy, they get whistled for instigating...so they can't police their own game. What happens is everyone on the opposing team becomes a target, but not a target to fight, but a target to take a stick, elbow, knee, etc. and it will be like it was an accident.
Got to let the players go after the players who are starting s***.