I like your second point, it may well be the most convincing argument listed in this thread. What's interesting is that the ratio has been constantly lower during the playoffs, which kinda validates your point since goals during playoffs tend to be "dirtier", less pretty and so on (apart from Oveckin highlights I guess). Does anyone know if there are less penalty calls in playoffs than during regular season?
Overall, I feel that assists are often awarded to players that don't deserve them. I sure has hell hope that the assists/goal ratio doesn't continue climbing, its getting pathetic when the average Joe in the stands can't see the reason why second assists was awarded.