Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon thought he had tied Game 7 vs. the Kraken on Sunday night early in the third period, but the Seattle video team had other ideas.
MacKinnon's goal was disallowed after review, putting Colorado back down a goal. It was a deficit the team was never able to overcome; Seattle held on for a 2-1 victory that knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions.
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The Kraken have a date with the Stars in the second round, while the Avalanche's season comes to a bitter end.
Here is why MacKinnon's goal was disallowed:
Why was Nathan MacKinnon's Game 7 goal vs. Kraken disallowed?
Less than three minutes into the third period, MacKinnon ripped a wicked one-timer from the slot past Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer to seemingly tie the game 2-2.
Kraken coach Dave Hakstol challenged the play for offside. After the officials reviewed the footage, the goal was waved off.
Nathan MacKinnon scores, but Seattle's great video coaching staff challenges the play for being offsides.
— x - Davy Jones' Locker Room (@DavyJonesLR) May 1, 2023
THE GOAL IS DISALLOWED. NO GOAL.
Still 2-1 #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/gtap0dxoGO
Nathan MacKinnon's tying tally is taken off the board as Lehkonen went into the zone a little too early#GoAvsGo | #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/ZsSY8JG4VC
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) May 1, 2023
While some calls can be controversial, especially offside, this one was pretty cut and dried. Based on the footage, it's clear that Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen entered the offensive zone before the puck as Colorado came down on the rush.
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Even though the Avalanche entered the zone 17 seconds before MacKinnon's goal, the play should have been whistled dead for offside, hence why the officials took away the goal.
When can coaches challenge a goal for offside?
Coaches can challenge goals in the NHL for two reasons: goalie interference or offside.
A coach may use his challenge if he thinks that an offside call was missed leading up to a goal. The officials will then review the play and either confirm or reverse the call.
Here is how Rule 38.2(a) reads in the NHL rulebook:
A play that results in a "GOAL" call on the ice where the defending team claims that the play should have been stopped by reason of an "Off-Side" infraction by the attacking team
What is offside in hockey?
In hockey, a player must not enter the offensive zone before the puck does. If they do cross the blue line before the puck, then play is whistled dead by a linesman.
Here is how Rule 83.1 reads in the NHL rulebook:
Players of the attacking team must not precede the puck into the attacking zone. The position of the player’s skates and not that of his stick shall be the determining factor in all instances in deciding an off-side. A player is off-side when both skates are completely over the leading edge of the blue line involved in the play.
