Why Panthers goal vs. Senators counted after review for off-side

The Florida Panthers took a 2-0 lead over the Ottawa Senators mid-way through the second period but the Senators challenged the goal for off-side.

After a review that lasted nearly five minutes, the linesmen determined the play was on-side and that the goal would count.

At issue was Rule 83.3: Delayed Off-Side. After the Senators cleared the zone while killing a penalty, Panthers players all needed to exit the offensive zone. But Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov grabbed the puck in the neutral zone and fired a pass across the ice to Sam Bennett, who was standing on the blue line. Bennett then dumped the puck in, where it was retrieved by Sam Reinhart who scored on a wraparound.

At issue was whether Bennett handled the puck in the offensive zone before teammate Matthew Tkachuk had exited to avoid being off-side. Under Rule 83.3, players on the offensive team are allowed to clear the zone to avoid being off-side after the puck has been cleared as long as no players on their team play the puck in the offensive zone first.

As the rule states: "If, during the course of the delayed off-side, any member of the
attacking team touches the puck, attempts to gain possession of a loose puck, forces the defending puck carrier further back into his own zone, or who is about to make physical contact with the defending puck carrier, the Linesperson shall stop play for the off-side violation."

In a statement, the NHL said "There was no conclusive evidence to determine that Sam Bennett touched the puck in the offensive zone prior to Matthew Tkachuk legally tagging up at the blue line, therefore, the call on the ice stands."

The Senators were given a bench minor for the failed coach's challenge and Bennett scored on the man-advantage to put the Panthers up 3-0.