Red Wings' Abdelkader scores OT winner vs. Blues with broken stick

This loss could stick with the Blues for a while.

Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader scored the game-winning power-play goal 24 seconds into the overtime period of Sunday's game against St. Louis, but appeared to tap a rebound past Jake Allen with the aid of a broken stick.

As the replay shows, his stick looks to have snapped in two upon his initial swipe at the puck.

If his stick was indeed broken - a determination left up to the referee - it should have been dropped immediately, as per the NHL rule book.

10.3 Broken Stick - Player - A broken stick is one which, in the opinion of the Referee, is unfit for normal play. A player without a stick may participate in the game. A player whose stick is broken may participate in the game provided he drops the broken stick. A minor penalty shall be imposed for an infraction of this rule.

The play was not subject to review, and the broken stick did not catch the eye of the officials, meaning Abdelkader and the Red Wings escaped with the extra point.

The goal was Abdelkader's 20th, marking the first time he's reached that number in his career.