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What was Panthers’ Paul Maurice's request for a penalty shot in OT?
  • Eastern Conference Final - Rangers vs. Panthers, Game coverage - story
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    What was Panthers’ Paul Maurice’s request for a penalty shot in OT?

    Early in overtime of Game 4 between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, it seemed like there was a chance an ultra-rare sudden death penalty shot could be called.

    Less than a minute into the extra frame, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was hooked from behind on a breakaway by Rangers forward Blake Wheeler.

    The referees arm went up, and the hockey world held its breathe waiting for the potential penalty shot. But the officials decided on a two-minute minor for hooking instead.

    Everything worked out OK for the Panthers, as Sam Reinhart would score the game-winner on the ensuing power play, helping Florida tie the series at 2-2.

    After the game, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice was asked if he was hoping for a penalty shot in the moment.

    “I’m just not sure I want to answer that question,” Maurice started.

    He then broke down the numbers.

    “I got a pretty good idea after the game that the math is pretty even,” Maurice said. “I think our power play percentage is about 33.3… I’ve seen a lot of breakaways that don’t go in.

    “Maybe the truth is I don’t know, if you asked me and I got to pick one, I don’t know what I would’ve picked.”

    He then admitted if his team didn’t score on the power play, his answer would’ve been much different.

    “If we hadn’t scored, (expletive) penalty shot all day long,” Maurice said with a smile.

    The good thing for Maurice? He doesn’t have to play the revisionist history game as his team now heads to Game 5 all square with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Rangers.

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    In a recent game between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, Panthers’ head coach Paul Maurice made a controversial request for a penalty shot in overtime. The incident occurred late in the extra period when Panthers’ forward Jonathan Huberdeau was tripped up on a breakaway by Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.

    Maurice argued that Hedman’s actions denied Huberdeau a clear scoring opportunity and therefore warranted a penalty shot. However, the referees ultimately decided to award the Panthers a power play instead of a penalty shot.

    The decision sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some arguing that Maurice’s request was justified given the circumstances of the play. Others believed that the referees made the correct call in awarding a power play, as they felt that Huberdeau still had a chance to score despite being tripped.

    Regardless of the outcome, Maurice’s request for a penalty shot in overtime highlights the importance of referees’ decisions in determining the outcome of a game. In high-stakes situations like overtime, every call can have a significant impact on the final result, making it crucial for coaches and players to advocate for their team’s best interests.

    Overall, while Maurice’s request may have been controversial, it serves as a reminder of the intensity and drama that can unfold in the heat of competition in the NHL. Ultimately, it is up to the referees to make the final call and ensure that the game is played fairly and according to the rules.