Does anyone really know what offside is anymore in the NHL?
The Western Conference Final between the Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers began on Tuesday and the first period was everything we were hoping for. Goals aplenty! Back and forth action! A controversial call to end the period! Wait what?
With time winding down in the first period with the Oilers and Avalanche tied 2-2 — mere seconds after Edmonton tied the game — Cale Makar came storming back to regain the lead for Colorado. While it was an incredible momentum shift, and a beautiful goal as well, the tiebreaker was then challenged by the Oilers for potentially being offside.
Here’s how the play went down.
The Oilers challenged this goal for offside, but the call on the ice stayed.
Thoughts on the decision? 🤔 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UoVwN6cSVy
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) June 1, 2022
Wait, the goal wasn’t called offside?
Yes, an obscure ruling in the NHL’s rulebooks is the reason why Valeri Nichushkin isn’t offside on this play by Makar. The Avalanche defenseman pushes the puck across the blue line, but doesn’t touch it until after Nichushkin has gotten back onside, making the play a very quick tag up scenario and allowing the goal to stand.
Makar is not touching and does not touch puck until nichuskin clears zone. Think of it as a tag up offside sequence. Linemen got this call correct. https://t.co/xul6NubweQ
— Mike Johnson (@mike_p_johnson) June 1, 2022
Have to touch the puck inside the blueline to be offside. Makar looked offside but never touched puck or crossed in to o-zone until teammate cleared. Good goal.
— Mike Johnson (@mike_p_johnson) June 1, 2022
Makar pushes puck across the blueline with Nichuskin inside the offensive zone. But Makar doesn’t touch the puck and cross the blue line himself until Nichushkin exited, or tagged up. Easy call IMO. Not offside.
— Bobby Margarita (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 1, 2022
Ok, so this angle does show that Makar pushes the puck across the line but is not touching it until after Nichushkin tags up pic.twitter.com/TrwDGa1ceI
— CJ Fogler AKA Perc70 #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) June 1, 2022
Talk about a weird one. NHL fans, on the other hand, were quite confused and astounded at why that call stood.