Controversy during the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders
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Cimon Asselin
Feb 26, 2026 (10:28 PM)
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Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The New York Islanders defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4 to 3 in overtime Thursday night, but a disputed Cole Caufield goal quickly stole the spotlight.
At Bell Centre, Montreal struck first thanks to defenseman Noah Dobson, who opened the scoring against his former division rivals. The goal set the tone in what became a back and forth battle.
The Islanders answered in the second period through Matthew Schaefer, who scored twice to swing momentum. New York erased the deficit and tightened up defensively as the pace increased.
By the third period, tensions were high and every shift carried weight. That is when Cole Caufield appeared to redirect a loose puck past the Islanders goaltender.
Cole Caufield controversy overshadows Islanders 4-3 OT win
The decision sparked immediate debate across NHL circles, with analysts questioning how the rule was applied.
Replays suggested the puck was redirected rather than deliberately kicked.
Despite the setback, Caufield stayed engaged and later officially scored his 33rd of the season.
His goal gave Montreal a 3 to 2 lead and reignited hopes of closing it out.
New York responded late in regulation when Anders Lee tied the game 3 to 3 at 18:19 of the third period.
The Islanders capitalized on sustained pressure to force overtime.
Just 1:46 into overtime, Jean Gabriel Pageau sealed the 4 to 3 victory with a backhand finish.
The Islanders secured the extra point and improved their standing in a tight Eastern Conference race.
The box score reflected a closely contested matchup, with the Islanders holding a 26 to 24 edge in shots.
Faceoffs slightly favored Montreal, but special teams and late execution proved decisive.
Beyond the final score, the disallowed Caufield sequence dominated conversation league wide.
Fans from multiple markets questioned consistency in how distinct kicking motion rulings are enforced.
For Montreal, the loss stings because momentum had shifted after Caufield's later goal.
For New York, the comeback and overtime winner reinforce their resilience in pressure situations.
In the end, two points go to the Islanders, while the Canadiens leave with one.
The standings move forward, but the debate around that third period decision is unlikely to fade quickly.
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2 HOURS AGO|8 ANSWERS Controversy during the game between the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders Was Cole Caufield's disallowed goal the right call? | ||