Another day, another team left slack-jawed after a borderline offside goal review.
This time around, the goal stood. The New York Rangers’ tally counted a day after the St. Louis Blues saw a potential 2-1 goal disallowed in a very controversial decision.
With Derick Brassard’s goal counting after review, the Rangers scored two goals in 18 seconds to turn Game 2 upside down against the Pittsburgh Penguins. An impressive Phil Kessel tally (his first in the playoffs with Pittsburgh) feels like an afterthought now that the Rangers are up 3-1.
You can watch Brassard’s goal in the video above.
It really doesn’t get much closer than this:
What do you say? #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/WrfGqxoMfN
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) April 16, 2016
On #rangers Derick Brassard goal. He had control of the puck. Legal entry. Always been that way. No controversy here.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) April 16, 2016
The Penguins now find themselves down 3-1 without their timeout, as Mats Zuccarello added to what’s becoming a painful second period for the Pens.
Here’s the Keith Yandle goal that began that quick rush of production for New York:
Will borderline offside calls be the story of the playoffs? Not necessarily, but they’re coincidentally becoming the story of this weekend.
Funny thing is I had assumed goalie interference would be at heart of Coach's Challenge drama in the playoffs, not so much off-side.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) April 16, 2016
Aside: J.T. Miller has assists on all three Rangers goals, by the way.