The New York Rangers nearly opened the scoring against the Buffalo Sabres on a goal that was disallowed for a hand pass.
Rangers forward Blake Wheeler, battling behind the goal line, flipped the puck up the boards. Winger Will Cuylle raised his right arm – likely just to protect himself. The puck bounced in front of the net, where Wheeler swept it past goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Before the puck even crossed the goal line, referee Kendrick Nicholson was already blowing the whistle and waving it off for a hand pass.
Rule 79.1 comes into play here:
A player shall be permitted to stop or “bat” a puck in the air with his open hand, or push it along the ice with his hand, and the play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the on-ice officials, he has directed the puck to a teammate, or has allowed his team to gain an advantage, and subsequently possession and control of the puck is obtained by a player of the offending team, either directly or deflected off any player or official.
While Cuylle may not have ‘directed the puck’, there’s no question his team gained an advantage.
The officials huddled before confirming the call. No goal Rangers. The play was not eligible for review or Coach’s Challenge.
Unlike the Nashville Predators’ goal last week, this one was directly played by the Rangers, resulting in a whistle for a hand pass.
Referees for the game are Kendrick Nicholson (#30) and Chris Lee (#28); linesmen are Michel Cormier (#76) and Ryan Daisy (#81).
