The NHL's explanation for the Leafs' failed coaches challenge was absolute nonsense
Photo credit: NHL
Last night's win over the Winnipeg Jets wasn't without its controversy, as the Leafs had a goal waved off late in the first period for goaltender interference. The play was a strange one, as William Nylander had been shoved into Connor Hellebuyck by Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo, which resulted in said interference, but by the time the puck had gone in, Nylander had disengaged from Hellebuyck, who lost track of the puck and pushed off in the opposite direction, leaving Tyler Bertuzzi with a wide open cage.
The goal was waved off immediately, much to the dismay of the Leafs and Bertuzzi, who has not scored a goal since December 27th. Naturally, since Nylander was shoved into Hellebuyck, Sheldon Keefe challenged the call on the ice, which was surprisingly upheld.
The Leafs were dumbfounded by the call, as were fans and the media alike. The NHL's explanation for the ruling on the play didn't help to clear anything up either. Per Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the league's video review team upheld the call on the ice because Nylander's positioning at the top of the paint "impaired the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal". The fact that he was pushed in by a Jets defender wasn't even considered, which is what Keefe's challenge was.
Regardless, in the end, it didn't matter. The Leafs skated away with a 4-2 win in enemy territory to extend their win streak to 3 games heading into their bye week. Still, a strange situation and a questionable call nonetheless.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 28 | 669 ANSWERS The NHL's explanation for the Leafs' failed coaches challenge was absolute nonsense Was Tyler Bertuzzi's first period goal in Winnipeg a good goal? | ||
| Yes, the fact that it was rule no goal is silly | 626 | 93.6 % |
| No, there was clear interference | 12 | 1.8 % |
| Don't care, we won | 31 | 4.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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