Delay Of The Game

The new NHL rules that started up after the lockout have sparked much praise and controversy. One new penalty that has spurred fans and players over the years is the Delay Of Game penalty where a player who shoots the puck over the boards in their defensive zone will be penalized. One can argue this being a good penalty. Tired players who lift the puck over the boards should be subject to consequence, especially if the opposing team has established a balanced level of attack on them. But with all the penalties issued in games and the strict discipline issued by officials, it seems like a very unnecessary approach for discipline to the player. The intent of the player to stop play is the very same intent for icing the puck. One new rule which disciplines a player for icing the puck is the negation of a line change and also a tv timeout. So the argument against the new penalty is simply this: why not discipline a player for shooting the puck into the stands the same way as someone shooting the puck down the ice? When the playoffs come, and there is more on the line with each game, officials become more lenient with obstruction penalties such as hooking, tripping, etc. But when a player lifts the puck over the boards, it's an automatic penalty and a very weak one. There are too many accidental puck lifting for them all to be disciplined with a two minute minor. There are times when the offensive team aren't even in attack mode and a defensive player accidentally lifts the puck over the boards. Why should that player be penalized? I'm not saying there shouldn't be a rational any action taken to such an event. I believe the player's team should not be allowed a line change and immediately have a face-off in their defensive zone, which will give the offensive team a fair chance to regain their attack on a tired team. When it's Game 6 in the playoffs, I don't want to see a weak penalty like this and I believe its one "new rule" that should be changed.