The NHL contradicted itself with the Makar offside ruling and people are losing their minds
Late in the first period of Game 1 of the Western Conference Final, Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar intercepted a pass at center ice, skated in and sniped it top cheese behind Edmonton's Mike Smith. It was a decisive moment in the game, as the Oilers had just tied the game at 2 and there were just 14 seconds left in the first frame.
Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft issued a coach's challenge on the goal, claiming the Avs were offside on the play. Avs Forward Valeri Nichushkin clearly didn't tag up by the time the puck crossed the blue line. Shockingly, the NHL review room ruled that because Makar didn't physically touch the puck until Nichushkin had tagged up, the play was on side, despite the fact that Makar had both possession and control of the puck the entire time. The Oilers lost the challenge and had to serve a delay of game penalty. Nazem Kadri would score on the powerplay for the Avs, and so the NHL's ruling cost the Oilers 2 goals against. The question is, was the ruling correct? The winning margin in the game? 2 goals.
Here is the clip the NHL used to justify the call.
Here is an excerpt from rule 83.3 of the NHL rule book regarding off sides.
attacking team touches the puck, ***attempts to gain possession of a
loose puck***, forces the defending puck carrier further back into his own
zone, or who is about to make physical contact with the defending
puck carrier, the Linesman shall stop play for the off-side violation.
Makar may not have touched the puck, but having the blade of your stick less than an inch away from the puck that you are carrying across the line should be more than enough to satisfy the "attempting to gain possession of the puck" part of the rule, considering Makar had both possession and control of the puck the entire time.
The NHL also contradicted many past calls, including this one from this season. A warning to viewers, this is a horrific goal allowed by Petr Mrazek.
Phil Kessel was in possession of the puck, Phil Kessel had control of the puck, Phil Kessel wasn't physically touching the puck when his skates crossed the blue line. Sound familiar? Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe challenged this play and, like Woodcroft, was rewarded with the goal standing and a 2 minute Delay Of Game penalty. On this goal, the NHL said it was control of the puck that mattered. On the Makar goal, the same NHL said it was physical contact that determined whether the play was off side or not. Once again, fans, players, and coaches are left baffled by the NHL's decision making. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel bad for the Oilers and their fans on this one.
| POLL | ||
1 JUIN | 363 ANSWERS The NHL contradicted itself with the Makar offside ruling and people are losing their minds Was the Makar goal off-side? | ||
| Yes, obviously | 249 | 68.6 % |
| No, but Kessel's was | 33 | 9.1 % |
| Both were on side | 47 | 12.9 % |
| What was Petr Mrazek doing? | 34 | 9.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
