The Ice Judge

Pains me to say it, but I think the review room got this one right last night. Goal was called back after it was determined Gaudette no longer was controlling the puck (he passed it to Goodrow) right before the puck crossed the blue.

It’s the right call. It’s an imminent scoring opportunity in my eyes. Doesn’t matter if it’s one shot or two. Annunen can avoid this situation by making a save or simply not kicking the net off the moorings.

Rule 25 - Awarded Goals 25.1 Awarded Goal - A goal will be awarded to the attacking team when the opposing team has taken their goalkeeper off the ice and an attacking player has possession and control of the puck (or would have gained possession and control) in the neutral or attacking zone, without a defending player between himself and the opposing goal, and he is prevented from scoring as a result of an infraction committed by the defending team (see 25.3 Infractions - When Goalkeeper is Off the Ice, below). 25.2 Infractions - When Goalkeeper is On the Ice - A goal will be awarded when an attacking player, with an imminent scoring opportunity, is prevented from scoring as a result of a defending player or goalkeeper displacing the goal post, either deliberately or accidentally.

Awarded goal for Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche. Good call by the refs. Clearly was an imminent scoring situation even though the net was off

Yes, refs blew the whistle when Malkin came on the ice early

Rule 71 - Premature Substitution 71.1 Premature Substitution - When a goalkeeper leaves his goal area and proceeds to his players' bench for the purpose of substituting another player, the skater cannot enter the playing surface before the goalkeeper is within five feet (5') of the bench. If the substitution is made prematurely, the official shall stop play immediately unless the non-offending team has possession of the puck - in which event the stoppage will be delayed until the puck changes possession. There shall be no time penalty to the team making the premature substitution, but the resulting face-off will take place at the center ice face-off spot when play is stopped beyond the center red line. When play is stopped prior to the center red line, the resulting face-off shall be conducted at the nearest face-off spot in the zone where the play was stopped. In all other situations not covered in the above, a minor penalty may result for "too many men on the ice" (see Rule 74). 71.2 Announcement - The Referee shall request that the public address announcer make the following announcement: "Play has been stopped due to premature substitution for the goalkeeper."

A rare Premature Substitution in the Flyers Penguins game, as the Pens subbed a skater on for Silovs a bit early. No penalty is the correct call.

Explanation: Video review determined that the actions of Valeri Nichushkin caused the puck to enter the Utah zone while Nathan MacKinnon was in an off-side position. The decision was made in accordance with Rule 83.2, which states in part, "Any action by an attacking player that causes a deflection/rebound off a defending player in the neutral zone back into the defending zone (i.e. stick check, body check, physical contact), a delayed off-side shall be signaled by the Linesperson." The clock is reset to show 19:18 (0:42 elapsed time), when the off-side infraction occurred.

After no explanation from the official, we get this PR statement…the NHL really thought there was enough video evidence that Nichushkin pushed that puck into the zone? I don’t see that at all on the replay. Not clear enough to be overturned. Avalanche got robbed on this one.

Check out the sweater vest on the ref during the 1997 Heroes of Hockey Game during All Star week. We gotta bring this look back for a Winter Classic or something

And finally, the Vegas Golden Knights: I have them at Over 106.5 Points. They had 110 points last year and just got legendary regular season performer Mitch Marner. They’re my pick to win the Presidents’ Trophy. Losing Petro stinks, but they’ll be just fine.

Obviously EP40 has to get back to his old ways. There’s a lot of question marks here, but Quinn Hughes is not one of them, and he’s the main reason why I think the Canucks finish with 95+ points. (2/2)

Vancouver Canucks: Over 90.5 points. This one is tough. Vegas is projecting 90.5 points after a 90 point year. The team, on paper, looks better than last year’s, especially if Thatcher Demko can get healthy and return to old form. (1/2)

Seattle Kraken: Under 78.5 points. I like the D corps I guess. Young players like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright will need to step up if the Kraken are going to sniff the wild card. Selling at the deadline last year indicates they may want to move in the rebuilding direction if they can’t start hot.

San Jose Sharks: Over 70.5 points. Books have the Sharks projected to finish with 18 more points this year, due to young talent getting older and Mike Grier assembling what appears to be an actual NHL D corps. I have them getting barely over. #71 puts up a point per game in his sophomore campaign.

My LA Kings prediction: Under 98.5 points. Ken Holland’s offseason was baffling. Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin are really the ones expected to move the needle? Books have them finishing with 7 fewer points than last year, I have them with even less. If anyone can prevent a descent, it’s Q. Byfield.

Edmonton Oilers: Over 104.5 points. This is a cop-out, but 97 and 29 need to be healthy for this to hit. EDM may not be way better than last year, but the Pacific won’t be as competitive. Goalie situation obviously is concerning. I have them behind Vegas for 2nd in the division at around 106 points.

Next, the Calgary Flames. My prediction: Under 83.5 points. This is going to be a solid drop from last year. A slow start would likely lead to unloading older pieces to surround studs like Parekh and Wolf with future teammates. Odd fact: Craig Conroy has made only two trades in the past 14 months.

With camps getting going, let’s do season standings points Over/Unders! First up, the Pacific:

Anaheim Ducks: Over 82.5 points. The forward corps is definitely better, the D corps is meh, the goaltending situation is weird, but Dostal is solid. They’re better than the 80 points they were last year

These are a fantastic upgrade in my opinion. People seem to be hating on them on Instagram. Much cleaner look with no black on the shoulders imo

That’s an awesome experience being able to see a guy score his first goal and then meet him! Blake seems like a good guy from what I’ve seen

Love that. Blake jerseys should fly off the shelves

Dominant series by the Canes. I think they get over the hump and get to the Final in the next 2-3 years. Love the addition of Ehlers, Miller, etc

I love this deal for Carolina. Blake’s possession numbers are insane for a 21 year old. Phenomenal defensive underlying numbers. This is a piece you need to win a championship

Some of the best seats in the house right there

Not just beating a rival in game 7, but dominating them. Thats a good one

Since #HockeySky is in a dead period, let’s do this: What’s the loudest hockey game you’ve ever been to? For me, it was Vegas San Jose Game 7. Ears were ringing for 48 hours afterwards

Oilers got Mangiapane, so I take it back

Free agency winners:
- Vegas (Marner)
- Florida (Easy to keep guys on that team)
- Carolina (Stankoven and Miller for less than 14 combined)

Losers:
- Kings (Ceci, Dumoulin, lost Gavrikov lol)
- Oilers (Bouchard a bit steep but probably the right number, Frederic too much term, lost Perry/Brown)

Same he was very deserving. Hard to not give it to the guy with 15 goals though

No Brady Tkachuk on the ice this year? Maybe doesn’t find it as fun this time around? (Kidding)

Show Me The Money The Simpsons GIF ALT: Show Me The Money The Simpsons GIF

AJ Greer with the “pay me” gesture as Bennett collects the Conn Smythe lol. Yeah he’s getting double digits

Well as a neutral observer I would have liked to see a game 7…but the good news is Evander Kane’s name stays off the Stanley Cup