NHL playoff spoiler: TNT score bug malfunction 'predicted' Panthers' game-tying goal vs. Bruins

Zac Al-Khateeb

NHL playoff spoiler: TNT score bug malfunction 'predicted' Panthers' game-tying goal vs. Bruins image

A TNT score bug malfunction in Sunday's Game 7 between the Panthers and Bruins has some hockey fans wondering whether the network accidentally revealed a brief glimpse at a predetermined script from the opening round series.

It appeared that, late in Sunday's winner-take-all game, Boston would win: The Bruins overcame a 2-0 deficit, including 2-1 at the end of the second period, to take a 3-2 lead as time continued to tick off the game clock. Eventually, the Panthers emptied the net with just minutes left to play and in desperate need of a season-extending goal.

Florida ultimately got that goal from defenseman Brandon Montour, whose score with 59.3 seconds left tied the game at 3-3 and ultimately sent the game to an overtime period. And a TNT score bug that directly preceded his goal appears to have predicted the goal.

MORE: Bruins' loss to Panthers extends Presidents' Trophy curse

The network's score bug briefly flashed "GOAL" for the Panthers before completely disappearing from view for roughly 20 seconds. The bug finally returned to the screen for roughly 10 seconds at the 1:08 mark. Montour turned the malfunction into a would-be prophecy:

WHAT DID THE TNT SCOREBUG KNOW??? pic.twitter.com/XcKnZIoxVO

Florida's Carter Verhaeghe scored a goal at the 11:25 mark in overtime to give Florida a 4-3 win, at once sending the Panthers to the second round vs. the Maple Leafs and eliminating the recipients of the Presidents' Trophy from the playoffs.

MORE: Is Bruins captain's Patrice Bergeron retiring?

With that, the question must be asked: Did TNT accidentally reveal a secret NHL script to have the Panthers eliminate Boston, which this year set the NHL record for best record (65-12-5)?

The answer, of course, is no: It was just a funny coincidence that added another degree of fun to what has already been an entertaining first round of the NHL playoffs.

 

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.