Chris Kreider was in prime scoring position against Carolina tonight when a slash broke his stick, and somehow no penalty was called.
A stick snapping on a scoring chance usually draws a whistle. This time the officials let it go, and the Canadiens lost a near-certain goal.
Montreal went on to lose by two in its Bell Centre home opener, with one of Carolina's goals going into an empty net.
That's what makes the missed call sting. A power play there could have changed the whole night.
One reaction summed it up: "So we're just not allowed these calls anymore or what?"
Kreider, 35, carries a $2,150,000 cap hit and came into the night with a goal and an assist in two games.
Martin St-Louis' Canadiens lose a home opener the officials helped shape
The Canadiens had already opened with a win in Toronto and an overtime loss in Pittsburgh. This was supposed to be the night the Bell Centre got its celebration.
Officials are part of the game, and bad calls happen every season. The usual line is that it all evens out over time.
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Sure, it evens out, blah blah blah. Tell that to a home crowd that watched a clear slash cost its team a chance on opening night.
Missing that call is like a lifeguard watching a swimmer go under and deciding it's probably fine.
Carolina leaves with the two points, and Montreal hosts Nashville on Thursday.
Kent Hughes and St-Louis can't control the whistles. They can only hope the next missed call goes their way, and in Montreal, people will be keeping count.
Did the officials cost the Canadiens their home opener?
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