Watch: Karlsson's OT winner upheld despite hand pass from Meier
GAME 3 OT WINNER pic.twitter.com/Uhhlb5D2sM
— Sharks on NBCS (@NBCSSharks) May 16, 2019
The San Jose Sharks appear to have caught another major break in these Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In Game 3 versus the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday night, Erik Karlsson pushed the overtime winner past Jordan Binnington, but all four officials on the ice missed what appeared to be a hand pass from Timo Meier prior to the goal.
Here's a closer look at the development.
Here's the debate. pic.twitter.com/CTG7zcs8Bu
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) May 16, 2019
The officiating crew met after the play but hand passes are not reviewable under the NHL's current rule book.
Kay Whitmore, the NHL's director of the series, was asked about what transpired.
"It's a non-reviewable play," Whitmore said, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "You can read between the lines. You can figure out what you want. You watched the video. But it's just non-reviewable. I know that sounds like a cop-out answer, but that's the truth."
The Sharks benefited from a cross-checking call that led to a wild Game 7 win versus the Vegas Golden Knights in Round 1, and they were in the spotlight again when a controversial offside review negated a Colorado Avalanche goal in Game 7 of the second round.
Wednesday's win provided the Sharks a 2-1 lead in the series. Game 4 goes Friday night.