NHL needs to adjust goalie interference rule and Brossoit recalled

The NHL actually overturned this goal claiming it was goaltender interference. Seriously.

They claimed when Rasmussen’s stick touched Jones for a millisecond it was goalie interference even though it is obvious Jones was not disrupted on the play. Jones didn’t even complain, because he didn’t even notice when he was touched.

Most  thought they were reviewing it to see if the puck was kicked in. No one was thinking goalie interference, but the officials absurdly ruled it that way.

This is not the first goal we’ve seen a goal called off due to a weak/invisible goalie interference call, and the NHL needs to fix this before the playoffs.

After the game Joel Quenneville was livid.

Quenneville took the high road and avoided a fine, but the coach’s challenge for offsides and goaltender interference have been completely botched. They are one-sided. They only disallows goals. I’ve yet to see a coaches challenge for a goal that was waived off be overturned and called a goal. The league hoped that would happen, but it has backfired and they’ve gone way too far on what is deemed goalie interference.

The goalies aren’t porcelain dolls. They won’t break at the slightest bit of contact. You can’t tell me the stick that touched Jones, but did not disrupt his positioning, is why the goal went in and somehow stopped Jones from being able to make a save.

This needs to be fixed before the postseason, because if it isn’t you can guarantee a game will be decided due to another outrageously horrible goalie interference call. Gary Bettman and the league need to fix this now.

Anders Nilsson is 0-5-1 in six starts since December 14th and has a .840sv% and a 4.90 GAA. He was pulled twice in six starts. He is struggling mightily so the Oilers sent him to Bakersfield today in hopes he can rediscover the game he played in November.

Laurent Brossoit has been recalled, but I don’t think he will play very much. Cam Talbot has been excellent since December 14th. The Oilers’ next six games are Thursday, Saturday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday. Then they fly to LA and Anaheim for games on Thursday the 25th and Friday the 26th, so we might not see Brossoit in game action until the back-to-back games.

Brossoit could get one start in the next two weeks, but if he doesn’t he will face NHL shooters in practice and get some extended time with goalie coach Dustin Schwartz. I don’t see Brossoit being here long-term, because it is better he plays every night in the AHL, but getting an NHL pay cheque for a few weeks and practicing with NHL players won’t hurt his development in the short term.

The other issue is Bakersfield is in a playoff hunt and they need wins. They likely don’t want Brossoit here too long if it hinders their chances of having a playoff run in the AHL. Bakersfield plays tonight, Friday and Sunday so Nilsson will have a chance to play right away.

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