The Carolina Hurricanes’ opening goal in Game 5 stood up to a Coach’s Challenge for goaltender interference from the Montreal Canadiens.

Midway through the opening period of Friday’s game, a Habs turnover allowed Jackson Blake to carry the puck into the Montreal zone. He moved the puck down low to Logan Stankoven as Taylor Hall drove to the net.  Hall battled with defenseman Phillip Danault as both players entered the goal crease, with the puck ending up behind goaltender Jakub Dobes to give the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead. 

 

 

Montreal head coach Martin St. Louis challenged the play for goaltender interference under Rule 69:

The overriding rationale of this rule is that a goalkeeper should have the ability to move freely within his goal crease without being hindered by the actions of an attacking player. If an attacking player enters the goal crease and, by his actions, impairs the goalkeeper’s ability to defend his goal, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

If an attacking player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending player so as to cause him to come into contact with the goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the attacking player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking player has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact.

After review, the NHL’s Situation Room handed down their ruling:  

Video review confirmed the Referees’ call on that ice that no goaltender interference infractions occurred prior to Taylor Hall’s goal

It would be wonderful if the league could elaborate on the ruling.  Was is that they saw no contact between Hall and Dobes that was considered interference?  Was it that they found Danault responsible – at least partially – for Hall’s positioning?  Did they allow more leniency due to Hall’s clear attempt to avoid contact in the blue paint?

It doesn’t matter. Because none of those are where the goaltender interference happened. 

The contact that impacted the goal took place at the near post, when Logan Stankoven, driving to the net from the side, lost an edge and crashed into the net — and the goaltender. Not only did the contact push Dobes off-balance, but the Canes forward ends up on the goaltender’s right arm, trapping his glove and restraining his goal stick.  The collision opens up a gap under the left pad, allowing the puck to slide under and cross the goal line.

Rule 69.3 applies:

If an attacking player initiates contact with a goalkeeper, incidental or otherwise, while the goalkeeper is in his goal crease, and a goal is scored, the goal will be disallowed.

Based on prior rulings, we expected this goal to be overturned.  So did Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis.

“I felt like his right leg was pushed in,” St. Louis said. “I was 100% sure it was going to be goalie interference.”

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun disagreed with the call, and says this ruling may help guide teams’ decisions on challenges going forward this postseason.

 


 

The Montreal Canadiens were assessed a minor penalty for delay of game as a result of the failed challenge.

Carolina went on to defeat the Habs 4-0 in Game 5 to win their seven-game series 4-1. The Hurricanes will advance to face the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup Final.