Overview
- Nikita Kucherov’s apparent tying goal in the final minute was disallowed after officials ruled Brandon Hagel had played the puck with his hand earlier in the sequence.
- The Toronto Situation Room initiated a Rule 38 review and applied Rule 79, determining a hand pass at 1:08 of the third period that nullified the goal scored 13 seconds later.
- Lightning coach Jon Cooper labeled the overturn “laughable” and criticized that the decision came from off-ice review in Toronto rather than on-ice officials.
- Daily Faceoff discussion focused on whether Hagel was protecting his face rather than intentionally directing the puck, with calls for greater discretion in centralized reviews.
- Pittsburgh led 3-0 before Tampa Bay’s rally on two Hagel goals, and Evgeni Malkin scored late for the winner as Tristan Jarry made 37 saves on 40 shots.