New Jersey Devils: Analyzing All Three Disallowed Goals

Third Goal: Erik Haula’s goal reviewed for a distinct kicking motion

This is the one where the Prudential Center hit a fever pitch. Erik Haula took a one timer off the pass by Bastian. They were skating down the ice shorthanded, and it seemed pretty obvious they would get a high-danger chance. Haula got a crazy shot off, but Murray made a diving save. He didn’t, however, get the rebound. Haula approached the net and kicked the puck. It clearly went in after he kicked it, but it also clearly hit SOMETHING after that. Let’s look at the play, then let’s look at the rule.

"Rule 37.4 A goal cannot be scored on a play where an attacking Player propels the puck with his skate into the net (even by means of a subsequent deflection off of another Player) using a “distinct kicking motion.”"

This one is hard because there is only one replay where you can see anything at all. It kind of appears that it goes off Nick Robertson’s skate, but Haula’s stick is there. Is that indisputable evidence? It seems like it would be hard to argue that with one angle. Every other angle we have is covered.

At the end of the day, the Maple Leafs needed every single review to go their way to win this game. The Devils dominated the game, but teams don’t always win the games they “deserve” to. It’s not the end of the world. The Devils start another streak on Friday.