Are coaches getting nervous about goalie interference challenges?

It was a crucial moment in Saturday night's game between Montreal and St. Louis. Up by a score of 4-3 with just over eight minutes left in the third, the Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher scored a goal in typical Brendan Gallagher fashion; square in the crease, all but sitting on top of the goaltender. On the initial look, without the benefit of slow motion replay, it seemed almost certain Blues' head coach Craig Berube would ask for a review and likely get the goal back for goaltender interference. Even with the benefit of replay, it's hard not to admit that St. Louis at least had a case. You can view it from two different angles below:

While one could argue either way over whether Gallagher was interfering with the goalie on his own, or being pushed into him by the Blues' player, Berube had at least a 50/50 chance of getting the goal called back, if not better. Instead he opted not to challenge and let the next faceoff take place immediately. Several times those on commentary questioned whether St. Louis should have asked for a review, given that the goal put the Habs up by two with under half of the final period left to play. Others on social media took it a step further, saying the league has never clearly defined what is and what isn't goalie interference, therefore coaches have no idea whether the call will go their way should they ask for a review.

While regular season is one thing, the new rules regarding minor penalties for failed coach's challenges involving goalie interference could really have an impact come playoff time. Imagine if this were an elimination game between any two teams, or worse yet, a Stanley Cup final with the series on the line. Offside calls are much more black and white than goaltender interference calls. With the latter seemingly at the complete discretion of the referee, a challenge could have a huge impact on a game, whether successful or not, given that failing would result in a two minute penalty. Last season, a failed review for goaltender interference meant the loss of a team's timeout, which seems much more innocuous than a minor penalty. Having to play short handed after just being scored on late in a game kills a lot of time, and just about any momentum your team has left for a comeback. It seems urgent that the NHL at least try to better define goaltender interference before a much more important game is decided by it.

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