Penguins burned once again as questionable call nullifies goal

Evgeni Malkin was ruled to be off side after lifting his skate while straddling the blue line, costing Patric Hornqvist a goal against the Stars.

Sonny Sachdeva March 11, 2018, 11:32 PM

For the second straight night, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a goal waved off due to a controversial call. And once again, the questionable officiating drew the ire of the Twitterverse.

While Saturday’s iteration saw Pittsburgh’s Brian Dumoulin lose a tally due to goaltender interference — despite being pushed into the net by Toronto’s Ron Hainsey — Sunday saw the offside rule keep Pittsburgh’s offence in check.

The play in question came late in the second period of Pittsburgh’s game against the Dallas Stars, when Patric Hornqvist finished off a passing play to put the Penguins up 3-1. The score was quickly run back to 2-1, however, when it was deemed Evgeni Malkin stepped offside just prior, while straddling the Stars’ blue line before entering the zone.

Twitter wasn’t having any of it, as members of the media and fans alike expressed their discontent.

https://twitter.com/RealKyper/status/973008086813126657

That's a joke. Malkin ruled offside. That rule has to change. Such stupidity to take away goals because of that.

— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) March 12, 2018

It is a ridiculous rule but Evgeni Malkin's skate is in the air and he is offside, no goal. Needless to say huge for Dallas who must still kill 1:08 of Radulov minor.

— Scott Burnside (@OvertimeScottB) March 12, 2018

The NHL's ruling on Malkin v. Blue Line: pic.twitter.com/HLD64kMG6x

— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) March 12, 2018

https://twitter.com/MXSwitz/status/973016846042587136

https://twitter.com/mdvo12/status/973013778710310912

Malkin wasn’t even trying to enter the zone….still offside somehow. Blasphemy

— Stephen Cochrane (@chirper20) March 12, 2018

https://twitter.com/swiges14/status/973005088921931776

Is that @penguins disallowed goal peak #offside silliness? Malkin literally skating along the blue line but happens to have skate up. #nhl

— Andy Hom (@TheRealistHom) March 12, 2018

Pittsburgh went on to win 3-1 after all, with Malkin tallying the final goal courtesy of an empty-netter. Though some Penguins fans had reason to be cautious before celebrating the closing goal.