The Boston Bruins went up 3-0 against the St. Louis Blues in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final thanks to a tally by Sean Kuraly in the dying seconds of the first period.
The Blues believed the scoring play was offside but were unsuccessful in their challenge.
Here's a closer look at the zone entry:
Seems pretty obvious this was offside. Bruins get away with one here pic.twitter.com/nuQ1wZNO1g
— Brandon Share-Cohen (@BShareCohen) June 2, 2019
Officials ruled the play onside because Blues defenseman Joel Edmundson was the last player to touch the puck before it crossed the blue line:
SEAN KURALY GOES FIVE HOLE AND THE BRUINS ARE OFF AND RUNNING EARLY IN GAME 3! 3-0!#NHLBruins 3 - 0 #STLBlues
— Hockey Daily #StickTogether (@HockeyDaily365) June 2, 2019
(#StanleyCup Series Tied 1-1) pic.twitter.com/p5NPiKnZEZ
According to NHL Rule 83.1, "If a player legally carries or passes the puck back into his own defending zone while a player of the opposing team is in such defending zone, the offside shall be ignored and play permitted to continue."
The Blues were assessed a two-minute bench minor for the unsuccessful challenge. Bruins winger David Pastrnak scored on the ensuing power play early in the second frame to give Boston its fourth goal.
