Expected Fallout as Canadiens Fuming Over Officiating In Chaotic Loss to Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers’ 6–5 comeback win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night had everything — goals, emotion, chaos, and controversy. Much of the postgame discussion, however, centered not on the players or the play, but on the referees and how they factored into the outcome.

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Chris Schlenker and Garrett Rank officiated a game that swung wildly in Edmonton’s favor after a pair of disputed third-period penalties. Montreal led 5–3 early in the frame when Juraj Slafkovsky was called for boarding (which almost every Canadiens fan believes wasn’t a penalty), followed minutes later by a power play drawn on what Canadiens players called a “soft” tripping call on Connor McDavid.

Edmonton capitalized on a power-play goal from Leon Draisaitl.

The real stinger was Josh Anderson’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, assessed after he fired the puck away following Draisaitl’s goal. That second power play led directly to Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ equalizer, setting the stage for Vasily Podkolzin’s late-game-winner.

Expect the NHL to Look at This Game And What Happened

Except knocking these two officials down the totem pole of candidates for playoffs, ultimately, nothing will likely be done. Still, the Canadiens will make enough noise that the league will take a peek.

“The referee had the choice to give two or ten minutes,” Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said postgame. “He gave two, and that gave them the game.” Brendan Gallagher claimed the officials later admitted the Slafkovsky penalty “was a mistake” and that Anderson’s infraction came because “the ref felt Anderson showed him up.” He noted, “Being an official, you have to understand the temperatures of the game. That’s part of it, you have to control it. Especially when it’s a close game: we were outplaying them, we were outshooting them. They got more powerplays than us, we deserved some. We didn’t get them, fine we battled. Just seems like it’s the same story. (The Oilers) are really good players, they don’t need the help.”

Kris Knoblauch and the Oilers, to a man, understood the Oilers were given a gift. Granted, they had to take advantage of it, and they weren’t apologizing, but they knew what this was. Edmonton didn’t play very well, just well enough to win when the table was set for them. Nugent-Hopkins said, “I don’t know about the calls themselves. But if you get an opportunity like that, especially in the situation we were in, you’ve got to take advantage. I’m happy that we did that.”

Cole Caufield made the comments that the NHL might not let slide. “The refs kind of took over the game there, and kudos to them for winning it.”

It’s clear the Canadiens felt they earned two points, and the Oilers were grateful for the two they got. St. Louis said he hopes the NHL “watches the video” to improve officiating. Understanding they got it wrong, there’s not much anyone can do about it now.

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