Henrik Lundqvist did not hold back after a controversial first-period goal helped swing Game 5 of the NHL‘s Eastern Conference Final in the Carolina Hurricanes‘ favor.
The former NHL goaltender and Hockey Hall of Famer strongly criticized officials for allowing Taylor Hall’s opening goal to stand during Carolina’s 6-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.
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The goal came at 9:17 of the first period after Logan Stankoven drove to the net and made contact with Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes before Hall buried the rebound.
Montreal immediately challenged for goaltender interference, but after review, the NHL Situation Room upheld the call on the ice. The Canadiens were then assessed a minor penalty for a failed challenge.
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Lundqvist was stunned by the decision during the TNT broadcast.
“I feel sick,” Lundqvist said. “That right leg determines everything for a goalie. That’s the only blade, that’s the only contact you have on the ice to be able to push and to keep your balance. When that leg gets pushed in, he gets airborne, and the puck goes underneath the pad. I am so shocked they called this a goal. I can’t believe it.”
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Paul Bissonnette agreed with Lundqvist that the hit impacted Dobes’ ability to make the save.
“100%,” Bissonnette said. “And you talked about how Freddie ended up on his stomach in Game 1 as a result of that one leg coming out. It was a completely different play, but as you can see, Dobes. His upper body starts falling forward, and that left knee just kind of automatically comes off the ice, which allowed Taylor Hall to slide it in.”
Canadiens failed to match the Hurricanes’ offense once again
Whether the ruling was correct or not, its impact on the game was undeniable.
The failed challenge handed Carolina a power play and immediately changed the atmosphere. The Hurricanes did not score on the advantage, but Montreal never recovered. Stankoven and Eric Robinson scored later in the period, giving Carolina a commanding 3-0 lead before intermission.
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The controversy should not overshadow Carolina’s structure and execution. Rod Brind’Amour’s club overwhelmed Montreal with relentless pressure, strong puck retrievals, and disciplined defensive coverage. After dropping Game 1, the Hurricanes won four straight and consistently limited the Canadiens’ transition opportunities.
Carolina Hurricanes center Jordan Staal (11) shakes hands with Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) at center ice at Lenovo Center.
Montreal’s young core deserves credit for reaching the conference final after surviving consecutive seven-game series against Tampa Bay and Buffalo. However, fatigue became a factor against a deeper Carolina lineup that had played six fewer postseason games entering the series.
MORE: Canadiens coach weighs in on ‘Shoot the Puck’ debate before Game 5
The disputed goal will remain a talking point, but the bigger story is Carolina finally breaking through. After years of playoff frustration, the Hurricanes earned their place in the Stanley Cup Final through depth, structure, and complete team hockey.