Montreal Canadiens Robbed of Playoff-Clinching Win by Referees Breaking the NHL Rule Book
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The Montreal Canadiens were robbed of a playoff-clinching win last night due to the referees seemingly breaking the NHL rule book.
For the first time since reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2021, the Montreal Canadiens are in a position to return to the playoffs.
Unfortunately for Habs fans, the team has lost its last three games, and its fate is now in the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are four points behind the Habs with one more game remaining in their season.
The Canadiens had a massive opportunity to clinch their spot last night, but fell short, losing 4-3 in a shootout.
During the shootout, referees made a controversial decision that helped the Blackhawks win.
Indeed, the refs allowed a goal to Frank Nazar, the first shooter to go for the Blackhawks, after the Habs had already sent another player on the ice.
Check out how it went down:
The Canadiens insider François Gagnon explained the situation in a post on X:
"The officials in the Toronto control room confirmed Nazar's goal. However, the communication did not reach the referees on the ice. When Patrik Laine took off as the second shooter sent by Martin St-Louis, the score was still 0-0 in everyone's eyes, even though the Hawks were actually ahead 1-0. The Canadiens requested to retake the second shot after the necessary pause to clarify the confusion. That request was denied."
The NHL Rulebook states that if play has resumed, goals can't be awarded due to a video review. It isn't specified in the case of a shootout, but it's likely the same rule:
"Any potential goal requiring video review must be reviewed prior to and/or during the next stoppage of play. No goal may be awarded (or disallowed) as a result of a Video Review once play has resumed."
The NHL later released an official explanation:
"The Situation Room informed the Off-Ice Officials in the scorer's box that Frank Nazar's shootout attempt entered the net in a legal fashion immediately following the play and prior to Patrik Laine's shootout attempt."
Nazar himself also commented:
"I knew right away that the puck was in the net. I didn't want to celebrate too much since I was the first shooter. I went to the bench to get congratulated by my teammates, but no one reacted. I didn't understand what was going on. It was weird."
Do you agree with the verdict?
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