Referee Mistake Creates Chaos In Crucial Canadiens Shootout

The Montreal Canadiens lost 4-3 in the shootout to the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday, and though Martin St-Louis’ team clearly did not deserve a win, the shootout sequence featured a significant mistake by the referees.

Frank Nazar scored a very nice goal during his shootout attempt, but the referees missed it, and signalled that it was Montreal’s turn to shoot. Patrik Laine’s shootout attempt failed miserably, however, the referees then decided to pause the play, and proceeded to rectify their mistake.

It was a confusing situation for all involved, and it may have been against the rules.

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We don’t want to suggest the Canadiens were robbed. The Blackhawks are a bad team, and the Habs struggled in a game that could have led to a playoff berth.

But according to rule 37.2, the entire sequence was a mistake.

Here’s the rule on video reviews, which also applies to overtime and shootouts.

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 NHL Situation Room will connect directly with the Referee at ice level to assist with the review of any close play or disputed goal.

The NHL Situation Room will connect directly with the Referee at ice level to assist with the review of any close play or disputed goal. The NHL Situation Room’s decision shall be final

Rule 37.3 goes on to specify the shootout as a play that is subject to review.

The legitimacy of all potential goals on Penalty Shot or Shootout attempts to ensure compliance with applicable rules (e.g., double tap, goalkeeper throwing stick, goalkeeper dislodging goal, shooter cradling puck above the normal height of the shoulders, shooter performing illegal spin-o-rama move, skater’s continued forward advancement of puck, goalkeeper leaving crease prior to puck touch at center ice, etc.)

You could argue that the shootout does not equate to play resuming, but if we’re taking the rule at face value, once the referee whistled for Laine’s shootout attempt, they could no longer go back and change the result from Nazar’s goal.

That would have been a miscarriage of justice as well, because Nazar clearly scored, and even if the play had been reset at the appropriate time, there would have been no guarantee the game would have ended with a different result, but it’s also fair to say the NHL’s officiating crew dropped the ball on Monday night, in a game that had heavy playoff implications for the Canadiens.

Of course, we must also remember NHL rules tend to be vague, which allows for interpretation. That’s the opposite of what you want to see in a rulebook, but such is life in the National Hockey League.

Frank Nazar’s shootout attempt was initially called a miss, but after review it was overturned and called a goal as the puck got stuck in the back of the net 😳

Chicago ultimately won the shootout. pic.twitter.com/1DmxR0Wf3A

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) April 15, 2025