I think embellishing and diving is used as a strategy in the NHL. While it certainly isn't as frequent as in soccer, people will use it, just as they use little hooks and slashes, to try to gain an advantage. I feel like sometimes the thoughts of where someone is diving is a little misplaced.

I think that it can be overblown with highsticks. From experience, I can say that even a light tap mid game stings something fierce and the immediate reaction is to try and fling your head out of the way and put your hands there.

I think the situations we see players really selling it, are plays when there's little shot at the net, but they seem to go down pretty easy. It's rare that we see an embellishment (and I can see why it's difficult to catch) but it's definitely something Ayers are taking advantage of when they feel that stock on their shins.