The Goalie Interference Dilemma in the NHL

Once again, at the annual NHL General Managers’ meeting, the topic of goalie interference was discussed. Now it didn’t take over the meetings as it did last year, when it was a real problem. Remember, right after those 2025 NHL GMs Meetings, the situation between the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders occurred in a meaningful game.

The GMs and the League went over everything; it was confusing, given that the Columbus goal stood, and they provided examples of what goalie interference was and what it wasn’t. But a year later, things are more confusing than ever after what happened between the Anaheim Ducks and Ottawa Senators.

The Ottawa Senators score shorthanded but the Anaheim Ducks have challenged for goaltender interference.

What is your call? pic.twitter.com/ZbeNPy7Ilo

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 14, 2026

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On a goal scored by Thomas Chabot of the Ottawa Senators, it appeared that Senators forward Tim Stutzle interfered with Ducks goalie Villie Husso, preventing him from making a save and playing his position. However, the situation room went with the call on the ice, and there was not enough video evidence to overturn the call.

But with goalie interference challenge rates going down, it appears there isn’t as much clarity as once thought. It is about improving the product and helping the coaches, fans, and media understand what the Situation Room and Officials are looking for.

As Pierre LeBrun of TSN said on Insider Trading, one of these goalie interference calls will cost a team in the playoffs.

NHLRumors.com Transcriptions

Gino Reda: “Another talking point on the day is, well, it seems like Groundhog Day when it comes to goaltender interference, Pierre.”

Pierre LeBrun: “It’s not getting clearer. I mean, like Pat Verbeek sought clarification on this day within that room, because he had a goal that they challenged last Saturday in Ottawa. Ville Husso was clearly contacted in his crease by Tim Stutzle, and the goal stood.

And the reason for it, as Colin Campbell explained on this day, was that they felt that the call on the ice was a good goal, and that there wasn’t enough evidence that Ville Husso couldn’t do his job. I disagree. I think Pat Verbeek disagrees. I think a number of other GMs disagree, and this is a problem for the NHL.

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They spent a lot of time on this last year at the GM meetings; they gave us a presentation on it. But there’s going to be a moment in these Stanley Cup Playoffs where what feels like a goal that should be disallowed is allowed to stand, and it could have an impact on a playoff series.

And I don’t care what the league says, I don’t think they’ve cleaned that up.”

But he wasn’t the only one who had a say on it. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, appearing on the NHL Network, also disagreed with the call in Anaheim-Ottawa and feels that goalie interference will cost a team in the playoffs. It is about the bigger picture for the sport.

NHLRumors.com Transcriptions

EJ Hradek: “How about goal interference? That’s another enjoyable topic for the managers. Year after year after year.”

Elliotte Friedman: “Yeah, I was on the receiving end of a couple from Colin Campbell. You know what, guys, I don’t know how you feel? I just didn’t like that one in Ottawa-Anaheim on the weekend. Look I don’t think people are incompetent. I don’t think anything like that. And goalies in the past have told me that there are situations where you get bumped, and you should be able to make the save, fight through to make the save.

And I don’t want to disrespect people who played the position, because they know a lot more about than I do. I just look at the one on February 28 Rangers-Penguins, and that one the other day, and I just think, in the playoffs, it’s not good. I really, I try to look at it big picture for the sport, the players, the fans, everybody. I don’t always succeed, but that’s always the way I try to look at things.

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I just look at those two goals, and I say, I don’t think it’s good for the sport that one counts and one doesn’t. I just worry in the playoffs, something’s going to happen, and we’re all going to be looking at it and going, Oh, this is just not good.”

While it wasn’t on the agenda to change the rule, it is getting to a point of no return, especially if something happens in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

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