Controversial Call Costs Lightning Game as Special Teams Struggle

Photo Credit: Alyssa Shimko| Thunderstruck Sports

The Tampa Bay Lightning's 7-game win streak is in the rear -view mirror now. They have now lost consecutive games for the first time since October 23rd. Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Bolts fell short in the end. Special teams' struggles were a major problem for the boys in blue tonight. Their power play continues to be a source of frustration. In this game, their normally top-notch penalty kill also struggled to contain the Pittsburgh Penguins' offense.

For the first 59 minutes of this game, this was the entire story.

But in the final minute of regulation, a controversial call from the Situation Room in Toronto directly impacted the outcome of the game and instantly became the only narrative anyone is talking about.

Special Teams Struggle in the First

The first period started with the Bolts buzzing in the offensive zone. Unfortunately, they could not manage to solve Pittsburgh netminder Tristan Jarry. Then, the Penguins got the first power play of the game. Although the Lightning power play has struggled for much of this season, their penalty kill has been very effective. But the penalty kill could not stop Pittsburgh this time. Villie Koivunen notched his first of the season to put Pittsburgh up 1-0.

The Lightning would then get the next three power plays of the game. They could not capitalize on any of them. They generated chances-- just not results.

Continuing to Lose the Special Teams Battle

The Penguins had a strong start to the second period. Just before the 8-minute mark, a rare sloppy moment from the always-responsible Brandon Hagel turned into a Evgeni Malkin breakaway. Malkin really is not a guy any goaltender wants to see streaking in alone. But with Andrei Vasilevskiy not dressed tonight, that was backup netminder Jonas Johansson's fate. JoJo could not stop Malkin, and just like that, the Lightning were down 2-0. For his role in the play, Brandon Hagel was benched for much of the rest of the period.

As the teams approached the midway point, the Bolts would take their second penalty of the game. This Penguins' power play ended up with the same result as their first one. Ben Kindel tipped it in for his 7th of the season, placing the Lightning in a deep 3-0 hole.

But the Lightning did get one back before the end of the middle frame. With just over a minute remaining, Nikita Kucherov buried a beautiful feed from Darren Raddysh to finally get one past Tristan Jarry and put the Bolts on the board.

Comeback Bid Falls Short in Third

The Lightning continued chipping away in the third. They finally converted on their fifth power play of the game as Hagel-- back in Cooper's good graces-- brought the Bolts within one just 1:17 into the period.

At 11:44, Tampa Bay completed the comeback. And it was Brandon Hagel once again! Hagel scored his 17th of the season from Nick Paul and Gage Goncalves.

Unfortunately, the Lightning could not hold off the Pittsburgh offense for the remainder of the period. Evgeni Malkin scored at 17:17 to put the Penguins back in front.

Then came the moment everyone will remember.

With just under a minute in regulation, Nikita Kucherov appeared to tie the game, and the building erupted. But, the Situation Room in Toronto called for a review, citing a potential hand pass.

The replay showed the puck headed toward Hagel's face twelve seconds before the goal. Hagel instinctively raised his arm to protect his face, and the puck lightly brushed against his arm and possibly his glove. He didn't direct the puck, and he certainly didn't gain an advantage. This was a defensive reflex being interpreted as a deliberate hand pass. It was debatable at absolute best, and nowhere close to the spirit of the rule. Coach John Cooper expressed similar sentiments when he referred to the call as "laughable." Hockey legend Phil Esposito was even less kind as he was screaming, "Baloney!" on the Lightning radio feed when the call was made.

Controversial or Just Disgraceful?

Let's be clear: if the NHL Situation Room is going to intervene in the final minute of a one-goal game, the infraction needs to be unmistakable. A completely blatant hand pass that four officials on the ice somehow missed. That was nowhere close to what happened here.

To overturn a tying goal with 55 seconds left on something that subjective is disgraceful. The Situation Room did not correct an obvious mistake-- they injected themselves into a deciding moment and quite literally took a point out of the standings for Tampa Bay.

In all my years of watching hockey, this is one of the worst uses of replay I have ever seen.

Three Stars

1. Evgeni Malkin-- 2 goals, including the game winner

2. Brandon Hagel-- 2 goals to tie the game in the 3rd

3. Nikita Kucherov-- 2 points

Up Next

The Lightning continue this homestand with a rematch against the New York Islanders. Game is scheduled to start at 7pm.