As if offside reviews aren't stirring enough controversy, the much-debated challenge process reared its head at the NHL All-Star tournament Sunday.
Erik Karlsson thought he scored the go-ahead goal for the Atlantic Division in the second semifinal against the Metropolitan Division, but Barry Trotz challenged the play in the hope that Nikita Kucherov would be deemed offside.
Kucherov was coming off on a change as Karlsson entered the offensive zone.
Kucherov got the last laugh, though, notching a hat trick to lead the Atlantic Division to a 7-4 victory and ensuring it a spot in Sunday's All-Star final against the Pacific Division.
The hometown fans got a show as Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov scored a hat trick to lead the Atlantic All-Stars to a 7-4 win over the Metropolitan Division to set up a spot in the final against the Pacific Division.
After Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin combined for four points in the first period, giving the Metropolitan Division a 3-2 lead, the Atlantic Division came alive in the second.
The club outscored the Metropolitan 5-1 in the final period on the back of two of Kucherov's three goals. Jack Eichel and Erik Karlsson also collected a trio of points in a game that saw every member of the Atlantic squad tally at least one point.
The Atlantic will now take on the Pacific All-Stars in a battle for the $1-million prize.
Both Marc-Andre Fleury and Mike Smith stopped seven of eight shots against for the Pacific. Pekka Rinne made four saves on four shots for the Central, but Connor Hellebuyck allowed three goals on eight shots in the losing effort.
The Pacific await the winner of the second semifinal between the Atlantic and Metropolitan divisions.
Process is first to make him available to rest of NHL. If he clears, intention is to put him on unconditional waivers for mutual termination of contract, freeing him to play in Europe.
The NHL is heading into just its third All-Star Game with the three-on-three format, but there have already been several legendary moments from the first two years. Here are the top five:
Scott scores 2 goals, wins MVP (2016)
When longtime enforcer John Scott was voted in as an All-Star captain, the choice came with plenty of scrutiny. Yet, his lone All-Star appearance couldn't have gone any better, as Scott scored two goals and was named MVP en route to helping the Pacific Division win the tournament.
Scott drops the mitts with Kane (2016)
Even though no punches actually landed, it was still pretty hilarious to see Scott drop the gloves with Patrick Kane, who would go on to win the Hart, the Pearson, and the Art Ross that season.
Gibson robs Seguin (2016)
John Gibson's toe save on Tyler Seguin while in the splits was one of the nicest stops of the 2015-16 season, All-Star Game or not. Adding icing on the cake, the save led directly to a goal for the Pacific Division.
McDavid undresses Bobrobvsky (2017)
Even while at what's probably half-speed for Connor McDavid, he was able to elude a sprawling Sergei Bobrovsky by putting on the brakes and giving Bobs the old shimmy shake. It was certainly the nicest goal of last year's tournament.
Atkinson's slick dangle (2017)
(Video courtesy: NHL.com)
Cam Atkinson was a late addition to the Metro roster, but given his 35-goal breakout campaign (24 of which came prior to the All-Star break), he probably should've been there to begin with. He seemed out to prove that fact, walking around Erik Karlsson before tucking one past Tuukka Rask. Unfortunately for Atkinson, things haven't gone as smoothly this season.
Marc-Andre Fleury can thank his daughters for their instrumental part in helping their dad become the first-ever winner of the Save Streak competition at this year's NHL All-Star Skills Competition.
The Vegas Golden Knights netminder put together a run of 14 consecutive saves to top Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne. The kicker in it all was each goalie got to select the music to be played during their session between the pipes, and for Fleury, his pick caught some off guard: "Let it Go" from the Disney movie "Frozen."
"I thought the title "Let It Go" was very soothing for goalies," Fleury said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's the All-Star Game. You just have to let it go. I thought I was going to get lit up, so I just had to let it go."
Fleury admitted he's a fan of the movie thanks to his daughters and now hopes the Golden Knights will consider playing the tune during shootouts after Saturday's success.
"I'm going to ask Vegas to put it on when we do shootouts," Fleury said. "Just be relaxed."
The Washington Capitals star already had the event wrapped up, but took advantage of his final opportunity and hit 101.3 mph on the radar gun to become the only 2018 competitor to break triple digits.
He was also the first forward to win the competition since Sergei Fedorov in 2002.
Doughty struggles mightily in the Passing Challenge
It wasn't much of a surprise Connor McDavid won the Fastest Skater event, given the fact he was the defending champion and, well, the fact he's Connor McDavid.
Still, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers and the Pacific Division All-Stars made history Saturday night, becoming the first-ever repeat winner.
The Save Streak event was the other new competition this year, and while it wasn't the most thrilling, it did produce one of the best highlights of the night.
Marc-Andre Fleury robbed Brayden Point with a terrific windmill stop en route to capturing the competition with 14 consecutive saves.
P.K. Subban provided another classic moment earlier in the Save Streak event when he tried a little misdirection by flicking one of his gloves at Henrik Lundqvist.
Several players had trouble with the new gates stage of the Puck Control Relay, but Erik Karlsson was the first of the bunch to try a brazen tactic.
The Ottawa Senators rearguard used his hands to pick up the puck, place it on his stick, and slide it through the holes.
Karlsson's scheme didn't exactly pay off, as he finished sixth in the event, well behind the winner, Johnny Gaudreau.
Marchand takes forever in accuracy
I take it back, I'm glad Marchand was able to take part in the All Star Game despite the suspension. Would have been terrible to miss out on him embarrassing himself...#NHLAllStarWeekendpic.twitter.com/neufttZwaE
Brad Marchand was mercilessly booed by the crowd in Tampa Bay at every chance, and it might have finally gotten to him in the Accuracy Shooting competition.
The Boston Bruins' talented pest took almost 45 seconds to hit all of the targets (44.692, to be exact), more than 30 seconds longer than winner Brock Boeser.
I️ think they might have put smaller targets in there for me!?? Maybe next time I’ll try I️t right handed
If it's any consolation, Marchand didn't have the worst time. That distinction belonged to Anze Kopitar, who needed 50.844 seconds to connect on every target.
Boeser blows away the competition...and breaks a target
Smashing a target was a good thing in previous years, but Boeser's shooting prowess actually damaged one of the new LED targets this time around, causing a lengthy delay.
In the end, though, the Vancouver Canucks rookie edged out Brian Boyle to win the event in a mere 11.136 seconds.