The Ducks And Oilers' OT Goal Controversy Was Preventable

The NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs never seem to lack drama. But in the case of the Anaheim Ducks ' overtime goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Sunday's Game 4, the NHL could have avoided the drama by making better use of its puck-tracking technology. The league has puck-tracking capability to measure statistics, but it has not been implemented for video review thus far.

Being able to decipher controversial calls in a definitive, objective way through puck-tracking technology would take much of the heat off the league and its officials. On Sunday's game-winning goal, Ryan Poehling fired a centering pass that deflected off Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse and through the legs of goalie Tristan Jarry. On the overhead net camera, Jarry's skate is over the puck and the goal line, making it difficult to determine whether it fully crossed the goal line.

The on-ice official signalled a goal. In a review, the NHL Situation Room ruled the puck completely crossed the goal line, but the photo it used still shows Jarry's skate covering the view. If there was inconclusive evidence, they could only go with the referee's call on the ice and award a goal.

Naturally, Oilers fans were apoplectic at the result, because the referees didn't have a good enough view to award a goal, and even a video review makes it almost too close to call. You can understand the sentiment of Edmonton fans, as this could be the key turning point in the series. The Ducks took the 4-3 win and now have a 3-1 series lead.