Imagine this: the clock is ticking down to zero, the crowd is on the edge of their seats, and just as you think the game is over, Steven Stamkos scores with a jaw-dropping 0.3 seconds left on the clock, tying the game and sending it into overtime. But here's where it gets controversial—did the goal count because of a technicality? Let’s break it down.
After Predators goalie Justus Annunen accidentally dislodged the net, Marcus Johansson’s shot initially hit the displaced goal before he tapped the puck into the empty space where the net should have been. The NHL Situation Room reviewed the play and ruled that Annunen’s actions caused the net to move before the puck crossed the line, awarding the goal to Johansson. Was this the right call, or did the refs get it wrong? Let us know in the comments!
With Annunen pulled for an extra attacker, Stamkos’ clutch one-timer from the left face-off circle tied the game 2-2, setting the stage for an intense overtime. And this is the part most people miss—the Wild’s resilience paid off when they secured the win, their second straight victory, thanks to standout performances from Kirill Kaprizov (who had a goal and an assist) and Brock Faber (with two assists). Filip Gustavsson was a brick wall in net, making 32 saves.
For the Predators, Matthew Wood scored, and Annunen stopped 22 shots, but it wasn’t enough to avoid their second consecutive overtime loss. Kaprizov had given the Wild an early lead with a power-play wrist shot in the first period, showcasing why he’s been on fire with eight points in his last six games. Wood tied it in the second with a slick backdoor tap-in off Michael McCarron’s backhanded pass, and Buium briefly put Minnesota ahead again with a power-play redirect of Faber’s shot.
But the real question is: Did Stamkos’ last-second heroics overshadow the Wild’s hard-fought win, or was this just another example of hockey’s unpredictable drama? Share your thoughts below—this is one game that’s sure to spark debate!
