The New York Rangers had a rare goal review go in their favor as there was ruled to be no ‘distinct kicking motion’ on a goal scored off Chris Kreider’s skate.
Rangers center Vincent Trocheck receiving a centering pass in the slot, firing a shot off the goal post. The puck bounced into the crease, with Kreider crashing the net. He moved to play the puck as he put on the brakes, missing it with his stick, but knocking it into the net with his skates.
Goaltender Petr Mrázek immediately began waving off the goal, indicating that it was kicked in. Refs Corey Syvret and Kendrick Nicholson reached out to the Situation Room to take a second look.
After review, the league ruled it a goal.
Here’s the relevant portion of Rule 49:
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 puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player’s skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal. A puck that is directed into the net by an attacking player’s skate shall be a legitimate goal as long as no distinct kicking motion is evident.
While it didn’t appear that Krieder kicked at it, subsection iv provides a bit more detail on this particular situation.
(iv) A goal will be allowed when a puck enters the goal after deflecting off an attacking player’s skate or deflects off his skate while he is in the process of stopping.
The goal gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks.
Referees for the game were Corey Syvret (#23) and Kendrick Nicholson (#30), with linesmen Kiel Murchison (#79) and Matt MacPherson (#83).
