Panthers’ go-ahead goal overturned due to goaltender interference in loss to Kraken
The Florida Panthers appeared to take the lead with just over three minutes left in the second period on Saturday. Rookie Mackie Samoskevich’s wrist shot from the slot found its way past Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord to give Florida its first lead of the game.
Well, not so much.
The Kraken challenged for goaltender interference, saying Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues, who was pushed into the goalie crease by Seattle defenseman Josh Mahura, impeded Daccord’s ability to play his position.
The refs agreed. No goal. Game tied once again.
Seattle’s Jared McCann went on to score the go-ahead goal 7:03 into the third period as the Panthers fell 2-1 to the Kraken at Amerant Bank Arena in their first game back following the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Florida falls to 34-21-3 and saw its run of five consecutive wins on home ice dating back to Jan. 18 snapped. Seattle improves to 25-29-4.
Kaapo Kakko opened scoring for Seattle with a power-play goal 6:32 into regulation after the Panthers failed on multiple attempts to clear the puck from their zone.
Eetu Luostarinen tied the game 11:37 into the second period when he took a feed from Anton Lundell and beat Daccord with a wrist shot. It was Luostarinen’s eighth goal of the season.
Samoskevich then seemed to put the Panthers up 2-1 a little more than five minutes later before the goal was called off.
“Video review determined Evan Rodrigues’ presence in the crease and his contact on Joey Daccord’s stick impaired his ability to play his position prior to Mackie Samoskevich’s goal,” the NHL said of the call to reverse the goal.
“I heard the explanation,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “We can’t touch a goalie in the blue paint. And I guess we did.”
Would Maurice have made that challenge?
“I’m not sure I would have challenged it,” the coach said, “so he’s right and I’m wrong.”
McCann then gave Seattle the lead for good when he buried a feed from defenseman Adam Larsson midway through the third period.
The Panthers next travel to Nashville to play the Predators on Tuesday. They will play their next five games after that at home, starting with a Stanley Cup Final rematch with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
This story was originally published February 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM.
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