Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis said he believes the NHL should take a hard look at the officiating from his team’s 6-5 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
The Canadiens built a 5-3 lead early in the third period after scoring four goals in just over four minutes of game time. But the Oilers rallied with two power-play goals and a late winner by Vasily Podkolzin.
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Speaking postgame, St. Louis made it clear that although the Oilers won on the scoreboard, Montreal outplayed Edmonton in every meaningful way. St. Louis stopped short of directly accusing the referees of bias, but his comments strongly implied that officiating tilted the game.
Montreal Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis (rear) reacts on the bench.Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
“As coach, we look at video and we try to get better,” St. Louis said. “I hope the league will do the same process.”
St. Louis’ remarks followed a stretch in which the Canadiens were called for five straight penalties, including a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct call on Josh Anderson immediately after Leon Draisaitl’s power-play goal made it 5-4.
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That sequence led to another Oilers goal just 58 seconds later, tying the game, before Podkolzin sealed the win for Edmonton.
“The referee had the choice to give two or 10 minutes, he gave two, that gave them the game, that’s the only reason they came back,” St. Louis said. “At five-on-five, we played our most complete game, but when you give them those power plays one after the other, it’s not easy for our players. Honestly, the result is disappointing, but I’m happy the way we played.”
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Montreal forward Cole Caufield was more direct in his frustration.
“Refs kind of took over the game there and kudos to them for winning it,” Caufield said.
Brendan Gallagher added that the officials acknowledged at least one call was incorrect and said moments like that can swing a close game.
“It just feels like it’s the same story,” Gallagher said. “They’re really good players; they don’t need the help.”
Montreal is 6-3-0 and leads the Atlantic Division with 12 points. The Canadiens will visit the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET.
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Related: Frustrated Cole Caufield Takes Aim at Refs After Canadiens’ Loss to Oilers
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.