The Montreal Canadiens faced the Carolina Hurricanes in a decisive Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final on Friday. However, a denied interference call on the Canadiens' goalie, Jakub Dobes, caused their fans to lose their cool and voice anger on social media.

During the first period of the high-stakes clash, Taylor Hall, the Carolina Hurricanes winger, put the puck in the goal at 10:43 after an intense offensive play in front.

The Canadiens head coach, Martin St. Louis, immediately challenged the call from the referees for interference involving their goaltender, Dobes, especially from his right.

The video replays suggested Canes forward Logan Stankoven had contact with Dobes, but the Situation Room cited “overwhelming evidence” to uphold the call.

NHL columnist and hockey insider Pierre LeBrun took to his official X account to give his take on the Canadiens’ goal challenge going in vain.

“Just an observation before the Stanley Cup final next week, I wouldn’t challenge any goal for goalie interference,” he wrote.

“The league doesn’t want to overturn goals. That’s the base sentiment. Evidence has to be so overwhelming. Why risk it? I don’t blame Martin St. Louis; it’s desperation time tonight for his team. More a comment for the cup final,” LeBrun explained his take.

It added to the frustration of the Canadiens fans regarding the consistency of the decision and the strictness of the current standard set under the long-standing NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman.

Moreover, it ultimately led to the Canadiens suffering a 6-1 defeat on the road against the Hurricanes to exit the 2026 NHL playoffs in six games at Lenovo Arena in Raleigh, NC.

Fan reactions after the Montreal Canadiens were on the receiving end of a goalie interference call

After the goalie interference call went against the Montreal Canadiens, their fans rallied behind them on social media. The comments section of Pierre LeBrun’s post on X was filled with the Canadiens fans mincing no words in their criticism of the NHL officials and the rules.

“Officiating both on the ice and wherever plays are reviewed is beyond 3rd class,” wrote a fan to simply call out the work of the officials on all aspects of the game in the league.

“Had no problem overturning the goal Buffalo scored on Montreal,” remembered a fan wanting to point out the double standard against the Canadiens.

A couple of hockey enthusiasts were in agreement with LeBrun, but at the same time, they came down hard on the review process and the rulebook itself in the NHL.

“SO THEN WHY HAVE IT FOR REVIEW THIS LEAGUE IS SO F***ING STUPID,” said one of them.

“I wonder why they even have the rulebook then. Just make it official that everything is made up and the point don't matter,” suggested the other hockey enthusiast.

Someone was not really in agreement with LeBrun’s sentiment of not bothering to challenge the interference on the goalies.

“That’s simply not true. No rhyme or reason to when a goal is overturned or not overturned. Such a flawed process,” they wrote.

While the Canadiens were left to ponder another missed opportunity to reach the Stanley Cup Final, the Carolina Hurricanes became newly crowned Prince of Wales Trophy winners. Afterwards, the Canes players decided not to touch the conference winners’ trophy to keep up the longstanding NHL superstition.

But regardless, the Canes will take on the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2026 Stanley Cup Final from Tuesday, June 3, onwards.

Who is going to win the Stanley Cup this year, Carolina or Vegas? Tell us your pick in the comments.

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Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Ankita Yadav