Another controversial goaltending interference challenge changes outcome of Lightning - Panthers Game 1
Will the NHL ever find a consistent way to call goaltender interference?
There's already been a few cases in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs that could have gone either way, but fans (and NHL coaches) are still confused about what constitutes goaltender interference.
Last night, in game one of the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning round two matchup, there was another controversial coaching challenge. Involving? You guessed it, goaltender interference.
The Lightning were already up 2-1 and were given a powerplay on a Gustav Forsling roughing penalty with 4:51 remaining in the third. Tampa forward Nikita Kucherov scored his third of the playoffs just 45 seconds into the powerplay, or so he thought.
The Panthers challenged for goalie interference because of contact from Anthony Cirelli on Sergei Bobrovsky:
Cirelli clearly makes contact with Bobrovsky's head, knocking it sideways as soon as the puck goes by his glove hand and in the net. After a lengthy review, the call on the ice stood, and it was deemed a good goal.
Tampa Bay would end up getting another powerplay for Florida losing the challenge, making it 4-1. The game went from what could've been a 2-1 lead late in the third to basically over because of the challenge. Did the refs make the right call?
The Lightning would win 4-1, taking a 1-0 series lead over the Panthers.
For reference, this was called as goaltender interference back in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs between the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks. Is there any difference between the two plays?:
Thoughts?
