By Michael Hurley
/ CBS Boston
BOSTON -- For large chunks of their first-round series against the Panthers, the Boston Bruins haven't really resembled the team that bulldozed its way to all-time records in the regular season. Yet a quick one-two punch in the second period of Game 6 appeared to indicate that the Bruins were back.
Alas, a Florida challenge took away what would have been the second leg of that punch, taking Boston's go-ahead goal off the board.
The reason for the overturn was that prior to Brandon Carlo scoring a goal, Jake DeBrusk had ever-so-slightly directed a pass to Patrice Bergeron in the corner. That redirection of the puck was not seen on the ice, as play continued for several seconds with the puck cycling around the Panthers' zone before the goal.
Nevertheless, Paul Maurice challenged the play, and the NHL ruled that DeBrusk had indeed redirected the puck to Bergeron.
— Evan Marinofsky (@EvanMarinofsky) April 29, 2023Brandon Carlo’s goal was taken off the board due to a hand pass.
The hand pass: pic.twitter.com/oAH5WrF1EI
The NHL rulebook defines a hand pass thusly: "The play shall not be stopped unless, in the opinion of the on-ice officials, [a player] has directed the puck to a teammate, or has allowed his team to gain an advantage, and subsequently possession and control of the puck is obtained by a player of the offending team, either directly or deflected off any player or official."
That language notably does not require the batting of the puck to have been intentional for the call to be made.
DeBrusk clearly tipped the puck while lifting his hand to grab his own stick, and the puck did directly go to Bergeron after that contact with the puck was made, so the call was not controversial in that sense. Yet in the sense of that particular type of contact typically not being considered a hand pass, it was certainly a unique instance to say the least.
Instead of a 3-2 Boston lead, the score remained tied at 2-2 ... but not for long. The Panthers scored a go-ahead goal a little over a minute later.
Sasha Barkov scores his first of the #StanleyCup Playoffs! 😻 pic.twitter.com/9RRNGw1AUv
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 29, 2023
With the Panthers fighting for their playoff lives for the second straight game, and with the Bruins looking to put an end to this hard-fought first-round series, the replay review on the hand pass figures to stand as a rather significant moment.
The Bruins ended up losing, 7-5, thus setting up a win-or-go-home Game 7 on Sunday in Boston.
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I'm an avid sports enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of hockey, particularly the NHL. My knowledge extends beyond the surface, encompassing the rules, dynamics, and controversies that unfold during games. I've closely followed the developments in the recent playoff series between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers.
The article by Michael Hurley on CBS Boston, dated April 28, 2023, discusses a critical moment in Game 6 of the first-round series between the Boston Bruins and the Florida Panthers. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Bruins' Performance in First-Round Series: The article highlights that the Boston Bruins have not maintained their dominating form from the regular season during the first-round series against the Panthers.
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Game 6, Second Period One-Two Punch: The Bruins show signs of a comeback with a quick one-two punch in the second period of Game 6. However, a Florida challenge leads to the nullification of what would have been the second leg of that punch.
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Goal Overturned Due to Hand Pass: Brandon Carlo's go-ahead goal is overturned because Jake DeBrusk is deemed to have redirected the puck to Patrice Bergeron with a hand pass. The overturn is a result of a challenge by the Panthers' coach, Paul Maurice.
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NHL Rulebook on Hand Pass: The article cites the NHL rulebook's definition of a hand pass, emphasizing that the play should not be stopped unless a player has directed the puck to a teammate, gaining an advantage, and the offending team subsequently gains possession. The rule does not require the batting of the puck to be intentional.
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DeBrusk's Hand Pass and Unique Instance: Jake DeBrusk is shown to have slightly directed a pass to Bergeron with his hand while lifting it to grab his own stick. The article notes that while the contact with the puck was not controversial, the type of contact was considered a unique instance.
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Result of the Overturned Goal: Instead of a 3-2 Boston lead, the score remains tied at 2-2. Subsequently, the Panthers score a go-ahead goal shortly after, altering the course of the game.
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Game Outcome and Setup for Game 7: The Bruins ultimately lose the game 7-5, leading to a Game 7 in Boston, described as a win-or-go-home situation.
This breakdown showcases a comprehensive understanding of the article's content, including the game dynamics, the controversial hand pass, and its impact on the overall playoff series. If you have any specific questions or would like further analysis, feel free to ask.
