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Pass or Fail: Mika Zibanejad’s controversial ‘kicked’ goal in Game 4 OT vs. Montreal (Video)

Greg Wyshynski

This goal by Mika Zibanejad of the Ottawa Senators looked like it might end up as a controversial footnote in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal.

That was until Cory Conacher scored at 19:37 of the third period to force overtime between the host Senators and the Montreal Canadiens, where the Senators would win, 3-2, to take a 3-1 series lead:

A Chris Neil shot deflected off of Canadiens defenseman Jarred Tinordi on its way to Zibanejad, who then sent it past Carey Price with his left skate.

How the NHL saw it:

At 11:55 of the third period in the Canadiens/Senators game, video review upheld the referee's call on the ice that the puck deflected off Mika Zibanejad's left skate and into the net in a legal fashion. Good goal Ottawa.

According to Rule 49.2 "A puck that deflects into the net off an attacking player's skate who does not use a distinct kicking motion is a legitimate goal."

So the NHL doesn’t see a “distinct kicking motion.” We think they’re right, as it appeared Zibanejad was in the act of stopping and there wasn’t a kicking motion per se. He angled the puck home, in a legal fashion by the letter of the law. But what say you?

Pass or Fail: Mika Zibanejad’s “kicked” goal in Game 4.