Insider suggests that Nylander's OT goal should have actually been a penalty against the skilled Swede
Last night's exciting 2-1 Leafs OT victory definitely had a bit of a "playoff vibe" to it, with neither team giving their opponent much time or space. Both regulation goals came off of chaotic plays in tight with pucks just narrowly sneaking through, but William Nylander's OT goal is certainly a goal of the year candidate on a sensational individual effort. In case you missed it, have a look below.
This one is sure to rocket up to the top (or at least near the top) of his highlight reel, but one NHL Insider wonders whether or not the goal should have even counted. According to DFO's Frank Seravalli, who claimed to have watched the replay 200 times, Nylander's stick lift may have actually connected with Frederick Gaudreau's hands and was actually a missed hooking penalty.
Watching back myself, I don't see much or any contact with Gaudreau's hands. To me, more than anything else, it looks like Gaudreau over skates the puck with his head looking forward, trying to find an outlet pass. Nylander only had one hand on his stick, which wouldn't allow him the force necessary to lift a stick or hook Gaudreau.
In the end, even if it was a hook or a slash, calls are missed all the time and it wouldn't be the first time that a missed call resulted in a goal against. As Leaf fans, we're used to it by now - although we're used to it going the other way around.
| POLL | ||
25 FEVRIER | 531 ANSWERS Insider suggests that Nylander's OT goal should have actually been a penalty against the skilled Swede Do you think Nylander deserved a penalty for hooking/slashing the hands of Minnesota's Frederick Gaudreau before his OT goal? | ||
| Yes | 51 | 9.6 % |
| No | 480 | 90.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
