Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby scored to to extend the Penguins’ lead to 2-0 in the second period of their opening night matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Defenseman Marcus Petterson made a great move to hold the puck in at the attacking blue line after an attemped clear by Chicago’s Taylor Hall. He moved the puck to Crosby for a quick cross-ice give-and-go with Jake Guentzel.
Crosby wristed the return pass just under the outstretched stick of goaltender Petr Mrazek and into the net.
Hawks head coach Luke Richardson wasn’t so sure about that blue line play. He opted to issue the first Coach’s Challenge of the new season, charging that the Penguins were offside.
Linesmen Brad Kovachik and Jesse Marquis donned the headsets to review the play with the NHL’s Situation Room. Broadcast cameras didn’t offer an angle that showed the puck completely cleared the blue line. Reportedly, the NHL’s official blue line camera – not available to ESPN at the time of the broadcast – provided a definitive view.
Marquis relayed the ruling to referee TJ Luxmore, who announced the decision: the goal would stand.
The failed challenge left Chicago shorthanded, but they were able to kill off the penalty, holding the Pens to just one shot on goal.
Blackhawks head coach Luke Richardson went a perfect 5-for-5 on coach’s challenges last year, including two for interference and three for offside. This is his first failed coach’s challenge.
Chicago may have lost the challenge, but they went on to win the game. The Blackhawks defeated the Penguins . Referees for the game were Kelly Sutherland (#11) and TJ Luxmore (#21), with Brad Kovachik (#71) and Jesse Marquis (#86) on lines.
