Well, it didn't take long for a bit of controversy to hit the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.
Midway through the first period of Game 1 on Wednesday, the Florida Panthers tied things up at 1-1, thanks to a tip-in goal from Sam Bennett. The Edmonton Oilers were not convinced the score should've stood, however, as they challenged the play for what they believed was goalie interference.
Replays showed the Panthers forward made contact with Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner inside Edmonton's crease as the goal was scored, but officials deemed the contact was originally initiated by Brett Kulak. The Oilers defenceman appeared to get his skates tangled with Bennett, leading to the Panther stumbling into Skinner.
Per the NHL's official rules: "If an attacking player has been pushed, shoved, or fouled by a defending player so as to cause him to come into contact with the
goalkeeper, such contact will not be deemed contact initiated by the
attacking player for purposes of this rule, provided the attacking player
has made a reasonable effort to avoid such contact."
Teams are now 0-4 when challenging goalie interference in the 2025 playoffs.
And the result of the challenge proved costly in more ways than one. Not only did Bennett's 11th goal of the post-season stand, but the Oilers were also assessed a delay of game minor penalty for the failed challenge.
Florida made the most of the man-advantage as Brad Marchand took a cross-ice pass and buried it at the 7:30 mark of the opening frame for his fifth goal of the post-season. The Panthers held onto their 2-1 lead through the rest of the first period.
Fortunately for the Oilers, that moment didn't come back to haunt them as Edmonton rallied from down as much as 3-1 to win 4-3 in overtime after Leon Draisaitl's second goal of the night.
After the game, Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch defended his decision to challenge Bennett's first tally.
"I'd challenge that (goal) any day," Edmonton's bench boss said post-game. "I was on the bench, I wasn't even looking at it again, getting ready for our next lines ... told he was tripped.
"I feel if that play happened again, I would challenge it. I feel what I've seen through the NHL this year, on the challenges and goaltender interference, I have a lot of confidence in challenging that again."
