Ah, NHL — you never shy away from controversy, do you?
Despite Commissioner Gary Bettman once declaring NHL referees the best in the world, it appears they missed the mark in a game that could have massive implications for the Montreal Canadiens’ playoff hopes — and potentially cost the franchise millions. While the loss means little for the Blackhawks, for the Canadiens, every point matters.
Montreal came out flying. Ivan Demidov was everything fans hoped he’d be, notching a goal and an assist to give the Canadiens an early 2–0 lead. Then came a legitimate interference call on Kaiden Guhle — and with it, an opportunity for the officials to flip the script.
Guhle misread the timing and hit Oliver Moore early. That’s interference, no debate. But what followed was a melee. Several Blackhawks, including captain Nick Foligno, jumped Guhle. Foligno dropped the gloves and landed repeated bare-fisted punches on a defenseless Guhle, who was pinned at the bottom of the pile.
The result? Somehow, Guhle received an extra two minutes for roughing — for receiving punches — and Foligno, who threw the punches, also got just two. Blackhawks power play.
The appropriate call should have been simple: Guhle for interference, and a double-minor to Foligno for roughing. At the very least, coincidental minors to keep it even strength — a common move by referees trying to maintain balance. Instead, Chicago scored on the ensuing power play, shifting momentum entirely.
Then came the shootout chaos.
Tied 3–3 after overtime, the game went to a shootout. Frank Nazar shot first for the Blackhawks. The referee signalled no goal. The puck couldn’t be located — likely stuck in the netting behind Montembeault’s cage — and a new puck was placed at center ice. The ref blew the whistle, giving Patrik Laine the go-ahead to take his shot, which he did.
Then, confusion.
Officials were called to the bench. Toronto’s situation room had buzzed in: Nazar’s shot had in fact crossed the line. So the refs allowed the goal… and still let the next Blackhawk take his shot. Bedlam in what had been an electric building.
But the rule? It’s not ambiguous:
Rule 78.5 (Disallowed Goals) and Rule 37 (Video Review): Once a shootout attempt is ruled ‘no goal’ and the next shooter takes their attempt, the play is considered dead, and the original ruling cannot be overturned. The officials’ decision on the ice stands unless video review is immediately initiated before the next attempt begins. If the puck crosses the line but is missed, and play continues with the next shooter, it’s too late to reverse the call. No goal.
Crystal clear.
And yet, Elliotte Friedman reported via a league source that Toronto “informed the bench before Laine shot.” Here’s the problem: the rule doesn’t say “before the puck is shot” — it says before the next shooter takes their attempt. The ref blew the whistle. Laine went. That’s it. Too late.
No matter how it’s spun, the NHL broke its own rule — and in doing so, tried to retroactively fix a mistake in a way the rulebook expressly forbids. Canadiens fans have every right to be furious. Missed calls happen. But this wasn’t a judgment error — this was a written rule being ignored.
The Fallout
This debacle has two unfortunate side effects:
- The Canadiens are locked in a tight playoff race. That stolen point could be the difference between playing in April or going home early. Teams should compete on the ice knowing the rules will be enforced consistently — not arbitrarily.
- Ivan Demidov’s sensational debut — two points and countless jaw-dropping moments — was overshadowed by officiating chaos. The young star looked every bit the future franchise player fans hoped he’d be. He deserved to be the story, not the stripes.
But once again, controversy takes center stage — and the NHL has no one to blame but itself.
