It was the Islanders’ first Coach’s Challenge of the postseason, and it was a good one.
The Tampa Bay Lightning saw their go-ahead goal in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final wiped out after an offside challenge from the New York Islanders.
As the Lightning moved up ice, the puck went behind linesman Brad Kovachik, leaving linesman Jonny Murray – across the ice – with a potentially-obstructed view of the puck during play.
Tampa’s Carter Verhaege scored from the faceoff circle moments later. New York, though, challenged the goal based on an offside zone entry.
Linesmen Jonny Murray and Brad Kovachik reviewed the play with the league’s Situation Room.
“After review of the play, the play was offside,” announced referee Dan O’Rourke, “We have no goal.”
Here’s the official ruling:
Video review confirmed that Cedric Paquette preceded the puck into the offensive zone and was in an off-side position prior to Carter Verhaeghe’s goal.
The game clock was reset to show 10:06, the time of the offside infraction.
Both teams remained scoreless for the remainder of the game.
New York’s Jordan Eberle scored to win it for the Islanders in the second overtime.
This was the Islanders’ first Coach’s Challenge of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and their first since February 25.
