NHL Officials Under Fire Following Two Questionable Disallowed Goals Against The Maple Leafs

It was a weird game for the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Washington Capitals, having two and a half periods of dismal hockey but coming alive towards the end. They even had a player try to secure a mid-game Lexus endorsement:

Toronto had plenty of chances but couldn't find the net, even if they scored five times.

Yes, that's right. The NHL referees decided to make two controversial calls in a game filled with copious amounts of video reviews. After Washington jumped out to a 3-1 lead, the Maple Leafs thought they struck back with a Steven Lorentz goal, which was called back after it was deemed he directed the puck in:

Then it wasn't too long after that before the Maple Leafs thought they had their next goal as Matthew Knies made a gorgeous tip off a point shot where he managed to deflect the puck with his stick under the crossbar. However, for whatever reason they said it was a high stick and no goal again:

This type of refereeing is inexcusable. There's no reason why there are so many quick judgment calls and then taking eons to make a decision. Even when they finally come to a conclusion they tend to make the wrong one. I can understand the possibility of Lorentz's goal because you could argue he kicked it, but Knies' no-goal is ridiculous.

It feels like the referees have a vendetta against the Maple Leafs as this isn't the first time they've had to have reviews, for better or worse. The refs are too hasty to call penalties on Toronto, only to call them back minutes later. It messes with the flow of the game and destroys any momentum Toronto might have had.

It didn't end up mattering as the Maple Leafs ended up prevailing in overtime after a wild comeback within the last five minutes of the game. Goals by William Nylander and Mitch Marner tied the game at three, and John Tavares ended it with a breakaway beauty to win the game:

The NHL has never been a league that prides itself on being the fairest of leagues, given their horrible track record when it comes to punishments or lack thereof. They need to take a look at their officiating and realize that perhaps they need to hire some better eyes.