The Edmonton Oilers’ latest showdown against the Anaheim Ducks was not without controversy. The Ducks took the win, extending their lead to 3-1, but the Oilers remained suspicious of the overtime goal that barely crossed the line, even after video footage apparently confirmed the Ducks’ victory.
The incident has attracted considerable attention, including that of Matthew Tkachuk. However, the Florida Panthers winger is not in two minds about Anaheim’s OT goal.
Matthew Tkachuk Dismisses Edmonton Oilers’ Doubts About Ducks’ Game 4 Win
The Oilers are in a precarious position after losing three straight games to the Ducks. Despite Anaheim’s lengthy playoff drought, the team has dominated Edmonton with relative ease and is merely one win away from claiming the series. However, Ryan Poehling’s OT goal at 2:29 cast a shadow of doubt over the Ducks’ win.
After his face-off win, Poehling sent a pass to the crease, which deflected off Darnell Nurse’s skate before being sent just slightly across the goal line after being hit off Tristan Jarry’s skate. The Ducks emerged victorious, but the OT goal did not quite sit right with the Oilers.
Defenseman Mattias Ekholm bluntly stated that he did not see how the goal could be considered “conclusive”. However, for Tkachuk, the outcome of the game was clear as day. The Panthers winger thoroughly dismissed any reason to question the decision.
“Obviously, you know it’s in. It’s obviously in,” Tkachuk stated in a recent episode of his ‘Wingmen’ podcast. Tkachuk also pointed out that footage from several angles eliminates any remaining doubt.
“The League and the refs and the TV, they have different angles than what we just see on the feed for the two or three replays. Even the offside cameras, coaches have different angles in the back. I can see how it is maybe a little controversial. That puck is in,” Tkachuk stated, concluding his assessment.
Nonetheless, despite video evidence, HC Kris Knoblauch asserted in the aftermath of Edmonton’s defeat that he did not see the puck going in.
“I can’t see it going in. I can’t see the line. … The (initial) goal call on the ice was probably about 60 to 90 seconds after (the shot), maybe even more. I don’t know. Wasn’t very definitive,” said the Oilers HC, voicing his concerns.
The Game 4 outcome was hardly desirable, especially because Connor McDavid almost won the game in the final regulation minutes if not for Lukas Dostal. The Oilers captain, who has failed to deliver at his usual elite level due to a minor ankle injury incurred during Game 2, emphasized the urgency with which Edmonton needs to play the next game.
“We’re in a hole, no doubt about it. We have to find a way to get a win at home,” McDavid said.
Luckily, the Oilers will battle the Ducks at Rogers Place on Tuesday night. Knoblauch named McDavid and Jason Dickinson as game-time decisions after his captain missed game day’s morning skate. However, it’s difficult to see the Hart Trophy contender miss this game with everything on the line for Edmonton.
