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Maple Leafs vs Capitals
This Leafs-Capitals game wasn’t just a battle on the ice; it was a marathon of video reviews! It ended in overtime, but with all the stops and replays, it probably felt even longer to fans and players alike.
Here’s a quick rundown of the four big plays that had the refs scrambling to review footage—and overturning three out of the four!
Second Period: The First Controversy Strikes
The video reviews started in the second period. Capitals’ John Carlson seemed to put his team up 3-1 with a shot past Leafs goalie Joseph Woll. But hold up! Leafs coach Craig Berube challenged the play, claiming goalie interference by Capitals forward Nic Dowd. After review, the refs agreed—Dowd’s interference nullified Carlson’s goal. Score still 2-1.
Minutes later, Leafs winger Matthew Knies was slapped with a high-sticking double-minor, which could’ve given Washington a serious advantage. But since the penalty was more than just a minor, it was eligible for a review. Replays showed Dowd actually skated into Knies’ shoulder, not his stick. So, Knies was freed from the box, and the Leafs avoided a four-minute penalty.
Third Period: A Disallowed Goal for the Leafs
By the third period, the Capitals managed to go up 3-1 for real. But soon after, Leafs winger Steven Lorentz thought he’d brought his team back within one, after a puck bounced off his body and into the net.
But guess what? Another review. The refs ruled that Lorentz used his leg to deliberately direct the puck in. According to NHL Rule 78.5(i), goals can’t be counted if the puck is deliberately directed in with any part of the body other than the stick. Leafs coach Craig Berube was not happy about this one, saying, “The one Lorentz scored, I don't understand that call. The rule is about a skate kicking motion, right? This was his shin pad, not a skate.”
Another High-Stick Call: Knies’ Goal Overturned
Later in the third, after William Nylander cut Washington’s lead to 3-2, it seemed like the Leafs had tied things up when Knies tipped in a Morgan Rielly wrist shot. But nope, the ref immediately waved it off for a high stick. And back to the video booth we went.
This time, the question was simple: did Knies hit the puck above the crossbar? Sportsnet commentator Craig Simpson thought it would count, and many fans agreed on social media. But the call on the ice stood, and no goal for the Leafs. Once again, Berube was left scratching his head: “I thought the high-stick goal was a goal. We looked at it again. To me, it's a goal,” he said.
The Final Twist and Overtime Victory
With seconds left on the clock, Mitch Marner finally tied the game for the Leafs, sending it into overtime. Then, in a perfect twist, Leafs captain John Tavares delivered the game-winning goal on a breakaway in OT, sealing the Leafs’ 4-3 victory in a game full of twists, turns, and overturned calls.
Here’s a quick rundown of the four big plays that had the refs scrambling to review footage—and overturning three out of the four!
Second Period: The First Controversy Strikes
The video reviews started in the second period. Capitals’ John Carlson seemed to put his team up 3-1 with a shot past Leafs goalie Joseph Woll. But hold up! Leafs coach Craig Berube challenged the play, claiming goalie interference by Capitals forward Nic Dowd. After review, the refs agreed—Dowd’s interference nullified Carlson’s goal. Score still 2-1.
Minutes later, Leafs winger Matthew Knies was slapped with a high-sticking double-minor, which could’ve given Washington a serious advantage. But since the penalty was more than just a minor, it was eligible for a review. Replays showed Dowd actually skated into Knies’ shoulder, not his stick. So, Knies was freed from the box, and the Leafs avoided a four-minute penalty.
Third Period: A Disallowed Goal for the Leafs
By the third period, the Capitals managed to go up 3-1 for real. But soon after, Leafs winger Steven Lorentz thought he’d brought his team back within one, after a puck bounced off his body and into the net.
But guess what? Another review. The refs ruled that Lorentz used his leg to deliberately direct the puck in. According to NHL Rule 78.5(i), goals can’t be counted if the puck is deliberately directed in with any part of the body other than the stick. Leafs coach Craig Berube was not happy about this one, saying, “The one Lorentz scored, I don't understand that call. The rule is about a skate kicking motion, right? This was his shin pad, not a skate.”
Another High-Stick Call: Knies’ Goal Overturned
Later in the third, after William Nylander cut Washington’s lead to 3-2, it seemed like the Leafs had tied things up when Knies tipped in a Morgan Rielly wrist shot. But nope, the ref immediately waved it off for a high stick. And back to the video booth we went.
This time, the question was simple: did Knies hit the puck above the crossbar? Sportsnet commentator Craig Simpson thought it would count, and many fans agreed on social media. But the call on the ice stood, and no goal for the Leafs. Once again, Berube was left scratching his head: “I thought the high-stick goal was a goal. We looked at it again. To me, it's a goal,” he said.
The Final Twist and Overtime Victory
With seconds left on the clock, Mitch Marner finally tied the game for the Leafs, sending it into overtime. Then, in a perfect twist, Leafs captain John Tavares delivered the game-winning goal on a breakaway in OT, sealing the Leafs’ 4-3 victory in a game full of twists, turns, and overturned calls.