NHL admits Devils' goal vs. Wild shouldn't have counted

On paper, New Jersey Devils rookie Jesper Boqvist scored his first career NHL goal Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild. In reality, it shouldn't have counted.

The NHL admitted Boqvist's goal should have been overturned when Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau challenged the tally due to an earlier high stick that went uncalled, according to NJ.com's Chris Ryan.

"Minnesota issued a coach's challenge for a missed stoppage event prior to the New Jersey goal at 12:44 of the first period," the league said in a statement. "Since New Jersey's Wayne Simmonds high-sticked the puck in the neutral zone and then played the puck in the attacking zone, a missed game stoppage event occurred.

"Minnesota's challenge should have resulted in the New Jersey goal being disallowed."

Here's a look at the high stick:

Referee Brad Meier apologized to the Wild bench at the start of the second period.

"At least they admitted it," Wild defenseman Ryan Suter told The Athletic's Michael Russo postgame. "I give them a lot of credit. A lot of guys, they don't admit to their mistakes."

Fortunately, the Wild won the game 3-2 in regulation, nullifying the mistake.