The referees robbed the Montreal Canadiens of clinching their playoff spot with a controversial call on the ice during shootouts against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Chicago Blackhawks were in Montreal last night for a game with absolutely no meaning for them. They’ve been eliminated from the playoffs for weeks now and will be on vacation in a few days, with only one game left in their regular season.

On the other hand, the Habs were in a position to clinch their playoff spot for the first time since 2021.

In the end, shootouts were needed to determine the winner, and things didn’t unfold the way Habs fans expected, especially in a game against one of the worst teams in the league.

Indeed, the Canadiens lost in a very controversial shootout session.

Massive Controversy in Shootouts Robs Canadiens of Playoff Spot

Canadiens insider François Gagnon revealed that a communication blunder between the off-ice officials and the referees led to the controversy.

Nazar, the first shooter to go in the shootouts, scored a goal, but no one saw the puck go in.

Then, the Canadiens sent out their next player, and the referees reviewed Nazar’s goal after the attempt was made.

Before the Hawks’ second shooter came on the ice, Nazar’s goal was confirmed, and Habs players lashed out.

Per Gagnon:

“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.”

Rule 37.2 of the NHL rulebook stipulates that video reviews must be made before the action resumes:

“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 league later released an official explanation, saying the puck entered the net in a “legal fashion”:

“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.”

Once again, the NHL’s reputation took a massive hit, but it won’t change the outcome of the game.