Detroit Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Detroit Red Wings, NHL or NHLPA

DETROIT HOCKEY INSIDER


NHL issues official statement on Red Wings vs. Capitals game goaltender interference call


PUBLICATION
Joshua Deeds
December 22, 2025  (9:52)
SHARE THIS STORY

Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals logos
Photo credit: NHL.com

The NHL issues an official statement on the Detroit Red Wings vs Washington Capitals game involving John Gibson.

At 9:41 of the third period in Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals, the Detroit Red Wings were saved by the referees.
In a surprising turn of events, the NHL would call off Aliaksei Protas' goal scored on John Gibson. Head Coach Spencer Carberry would challenge the call, hoping for it to be overturned.
However, the referees had found that Protas had impeded goaltender John Gibson of the Red Wings from playing his position in the crease before the puck had entered the net.
To give you a better explanation of the reasoning, reference Rule 38
The play on the ice was challenged under Rule 38 - Coach's Challenge. Rule 38.1 states, «In all Coach's Challenge situations, the original call on the ice will be overturned if, and only if, a conclusive and irrefutable determination can be made on the basis of video evidence that the original call on the ice was clearly not correct. If a review is not conclusive and/or there is any doubt whatsoever as to whether the call on the ice was correct, the original call on the ice will be confirmed.»
.
To expand upon their reasoning, the video review saw that Protas' goal was bad due to Rule 69.
The decision was made in accordance with Rule 69.1 which states, in part, that «Goals should be disallowed only if: (1) an attacking player, either by his positioning or by contact, impairs the goalkeeper's ability to move freely within his crease or defend his goal.»

The Detroit Red Wings remain steadfast and beat the Washington Capitals on Saturday

The goal differential between the two teams was big enough to the point where the Red Wings didn't have to worry about the officiating today and would've had the win regardless.
Joh Gibson held on today and made 24 saves on 26 shots against, with a .923 save percentage at the beginning of the gauntlet the Red Wings face.
This was the beginning of their biggest test of the season vs. Washington, and they passed with flying colors against the Capitals.
It looks as if John Leonard listened to the words Todd McLellan had for the Red Wings rooke and became a key contributor today, another big help in overcoming the Capitals.
POLL
DECEMBRE 22   |   85 ANSWERS
NHL issues official statement on Red Wings vs. Capitals game goaltender interference call

Did you agree with the NHL official statement about the Detroit Red Wings vs Washington Capitals game, calling off forward Aliaksei Protas' goal?

Yes8094.1 %
No`55.9 %
List of polls

DETROIT HOCKEY INSIDER
COPYRIGHT @2026  ·  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE  ·  PRIVACY POLICY  ·  COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED  ·  SITEMAP  ·  ROBOTS.TXT