Flyers’ Lindblom Scores After Kicked Puck Deflects In

Philadelphia’s Oskar Lindblom used a distinct kicking motion to give the Flyers a 3-1 lead over the Los Angeles Kings. After video review, the goal counted, thanks to a slight deflection off the stick of LA’s Sean Walker.

The NHL’s Situation Room reviewed the play, discussing the situation with referees Kevin Pollock and Chris Schlenker.  After arriving at a decision, Pollock relayed the verdict.

“After video review, the play was off a skate but then off an LA Kings stick, therefore we have a goal.”

The league determined that Lindblom kicked the puck, which then deflected off Walker’s stick and into the net.

 

 

Many, including the Kings’ broadcast team, were concerned with the clear and distinct kicking motion on the play.  Had the puck gone directly in off Lindblom’s skate, that would be a valid argument. It becomes a moot point, though, once the puck deflects off a skater’s stick .

Rule 49.2, section (ii) covers the play:

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who uses a distinct kicking motion to propel the puck into the net with his skate/foot. A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks a puck that deflects into the net off any player, goalkeeper or official.

(i) A kicked puck that deflects off the body of any player of either team (including the goalkeeper) shall be ruled no goal.

(ii) A kicked puck that deflects off the stick of any player (excluding the goalkeeper’s stick) shall be ruled a good goal.

A goal cannot be scored by an attacking player who kicks any equipment (stick, glove, helmet, etc.) at the puck, including kicking the blade of his own stick, causing the puck to cross the goal line.

Per the rulebook, had Lindblom kicked Walker’s stick – or his own – the goal should have been disallowed.

In this case, the NHL felt that they had sufficient evidence to indicate that the puck was deflected by Walker’s stick after being kicked by Lindblom.

From the NHL: