I agree that a 5 minute major was way harsh. It's a two-minute cross-checking penalty that happened to have an unusually ugly result -- for both the injured player and the team that had to kill the penalty. And I'm 100% on board with instituting video review for major penalties going forward to avoid more of these unfortunate scenarios in the future.

That said, Vegas' second goal was almost certainly scored with a high stick and probably shouldn't have counted either. I get why it wasn't overturned because the need for absolutely irrefutable evidence to change the on-ice call, but let's be real here. Even allowing for optical illusions from substandard camera angles, that puck is hitting a stick at about shoulder height on a 6-foot tall player on skates standing fairly straight up. If you had to make a call on the video evidence alone, without regard to what the on-ice official decided at the time, there's no way you're saying that's only four feet off the ice.

Bad calls happen to everybody. And yeah, that's super frustrating and I get it. But you also have to overcome them rather than, you know, collapse in historically awful fashion.

I think if you asked Vegas fans before the game, "Okay, we're going to award you a bogus high stick goal earlier in the game, but we're also going to call a bogus major penalty with 11 minutes left. Would you rather defend a major with a 3-goal lead, or a minor with a 2-goal lead?

I mean, statistically speaking you are way better off having that extra goal in the bank, even with the risk of surrendering multiple goals on a major.

Vegas was up in this series 3-1. The only way they could have lost it was by losing three games in a row. Not only did they lose three games in a row, but they got blown out in Game 5, gave up a shorty in overtime in Game 6, and blew a 3-goal lead with 10 minutes left in Game 7.

Again, I get the frustration over the bad call (and it was a terrible call) but the Golden Knights still deserve the vast majority of the blame for the outcome of this series.

The only reason that there was still a series left for the refs to "steal" from Vegas is because the Golden Knights blew every possible opportunity to lock it up for three straight games.

So I absolutely agree that the "call" was wrong, but what is even worse is all the female dogin, moanin, and complainin from the Vegas coaches, players, fans etc... and as a Winnipeg Jet fan I don't recall any of them female dogin, moanin, or complainin last year when Neal broke his stick across Hellebuyck's chest before a goal was scored.

So, suck it up folks, as what goes around comes around. Guess it is your turn to take the poopy end of the stick.

Fellow former-ish Flyers fan?.
- Yosimar89

Si

For what it's worth (not much, I know) that was an epic and historic game and series. You guys got a taste of your own medicine from last year in terms of the calls not going your way. Welcome to NHL-fandom, we all hate the refs and their BS inconsistent game calling. Part of being a fan is supporting your team in overcoming the refs as much as the other team.

I hate to say it, but this is why SJ traded for Erik Karlsson. He schooled you on that PP and in OT in ways no other player could. Nine assists in seven games, three key plays that led to goals on that PP and some massive plays that saved some goals. Man, I miss him and still pray he resigns here.

But thanks for helping us get full value on the trade (if SJ makes the finals we get another 1st from them)! Cheers and enjoy the rest of the playoffs!

I understand the disappointment with the call. It probably should have been 2 minutes for each Eakin & Stasny.
However the call occurred. Why didn't Girard call a timeout after the second goal and calm things down with his players? That ranks up there with the Dusty Baker brainfart following the Bartman incident in 2003 for the Cubs.
Neither coach showed leadership by gathering their players and getting them to re-focus on the fact that:
a. We are still leading the game.
b. There is still plenty of game to go.
c. It may have been a bad call, but... see a & b.
The fact that Vegas allowed FOUR CONSECUTIVE POWER PLAY GOALS is crazy!