Canadiens miss out on playoff-clinching win on referee call

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Montreal Canadiens miss out on playoff-clinching win due to controversial referee ruling

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Julien Trekker | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 3:03 PM ET

The Montreal Canadiens were robbed of a playoff-clinching win Monday night due to the referees seemingly ignoring the NHL rule book.

The Canadiens are officially in the Stanley Cup playoffs following their Wednesday night win over the Hurricanes, which helped make cool history.

However, the Canadiens had a massive opportunity to clinch their spot Monday night, but fell short, losing 4-3 in a shootout.

During the shootout, referees made a controversial decision that helped the Blackhawks win.

Indeed, the refs allowed a goal to Frank Nazar, the first shooter to go for the Blackhawks, after the Habs had already sent another player on the ice.

Check out how it went down:

Canadiens insider François Gagnon explained the situation in a post on X:

"The officials in the Toronto control room confirmed Nazar's goal. However, the communication did not reach the referees on the ice. When Patrik Laine took off as the second shooter sent by Martin St-Louis, the score was still 0-0 in everyone's eyes, even though the Hawks were actually ahead 1-0. The Canadiens requested to retake the second shot after the necessary pause to clarify the confusion. That request was denied."

The NHL Rulebook states that if play has resumed, goals can't be awarded due to a video review. It isn't specified in the case of a shootout, but it's likely the same rule:

"Any potential goal requiring video review must be reviewed prior to and/or during the next stoppage of play. No goal may be awarded (or disallowed) as a result of a Video Review once play has resumed."

The NHL later released an official explanation.

"The Situation Room informed the Off-Ice Officials in the scorer's box that Frank Nazar's shootout attempt entered the net in a legal fashion immediately following the play and prior to Patrik Laine's shootout attempt."

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: