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No goal: Penguins suffer from inconclusive evidence of puck crossing line

Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty

What would Stanley Cup Playoff action be without some sort of goal controversy?

The issue Sunday was whether the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to get the puck all the way across the goal line during the third period of Game 2.

Patric Hornqvist sure thought he scored on Braden Holtby, but the Capitals goaltender was able to shield the puck from view just enough to hinder the officials from conclusively ruling it a goal.

A closer looks sure makes it seem as though the puck went in the net, but again, the photo evidence is inconclusive.

Play therefore carried on with the Penguins down 3-1, and the NHL later explained the ruling as follows:

"At 9:03 of the third period in the Penguins/Capitals game, the Situation Room initiated a video review to further examine a play at the Washington net. Video review determined that there were no definitive replays which showed that the puck completely crossed the Washington goal line. Therefore, the Referee's call on the ice stands - no goal Pittsburgh."

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