The overtime winner that sent the Pittsburgh Penguins past the Montreal Canadiens is already being overshadowed by one thing: a slash that went uncalled just before the goal.
Ivan Demidov had his stick smashed in half moments before Thomas Novak finished off the game for Pittsburgh, and that missed call has become the big talking point the day after the loss. Several observers have pointed to the same sequence, arguing the goal should not have counted because the slash came right before the winner.
“Demidov's stick slashed in half right before the Pens OT winner.
This is a penalty every time and the ref just stares this one down and allows it.”
But the whistle never came.
Novak scored the game-winner at the end of a wild overtime finish, and the Penguins walked away with the two points after the officials let the play continue. Demidov’s stick was clearly broken on the sequence just before the goal, and that kind of slash is usually an automatic call.
The Canadiens had built their night around goals from Cole Caufield, Chris Kreider and Demidov, with the latter two helping force overtime after Montreal opened the scoring. It turned into a spectacular finish anyway, even if the final minutes are now being remembered for the missed penalty more than the winner itself.
Montreal leaves Pittsburgh with one point from the overtime loss, adding to the three points it has after a win in Toronto and this defeat. One point is better than nothing, but the uncalled slash on Demidov is still hanging over the result.
In Other News...
Canadiens Showed Real Fight But One New Concern Could Linger
The Canadiens got the kind of response they needed against Pittsburgh, pushing back after a rough stretch and forcing the game past regulation before falling in overtime. Montreals top line was again at the center of it, with Cole Caufield, Nick Suzuki and Chris Kreider driving the offense and giving the club a much-needed spark when it found itself chasing the game.
The bigger concern may be on the blue line, where Alexandre Carrier exited early and never returned, leaving his status up in the air afterward. For a team that just showed it can claw its way back into a game, losing another defenseman would be a tough complication to absorb, especially with the Canadiens trying to build on a performance that offered plenty of encouragement even in defeat. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Deadline Pursuit Was Bigger Than Fans Realized
The Canadiens were closer to making a major move at the last trade deadline than many around the team realized. Jeff Gorton said Montreal was in serious discussions with two different teams, a sign that Kent Hughes and the front office were pushing hard to add in a market where the cost kept climbing and the competition for impact players stayed fierce. Footage from the period also showed Hughes putting a hefty package on the table, underscoring how aggressively the Canadiens were trying to explore their options.
Even without a deal getting across the line, the episode adds more context to how Montreal has been operating under Hughes and Gorton, especially with the organization still balancing present-day upgrades against the bigger-picture plan. The deadline chatter also sits alongside the broader swirl of rumors around Matthew Knies and the shifting landscape in Toronto, where management changes can alter the way trade talks unfold. For the Canadiens, the takeaway is clear: they were in the hunt, and the price tag was substantial. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Suddenly Have A Low-Risk Roster Call To Make
The Canadiens suddenly have a low-risk roster decision staring them in the face after two NHL waiver placements opened a potential path to add depth without surrendering draft picks or prospects. Michael Eyssimont of the Boston Bruins and Patrick Giles of the San Jose Sharks are both available to be claimed, and Montreal can take a look at either player as it weighs whether to make a small but meaningful adjustment to the roster.
The appeal is obvious for a team that may want more options in the lineup without paying a steep price. David Gustafson also cleared waivers recently, a reminder that these moves can be a quiet way to shuffle depth around the league, but the Canadiens still have to decide whether either available player fits what they need right now. The window is open, and with waivers, the simplest move is often the one that ends up mattering. [Read more 🡒]