Mark Jankowski Scored the Overtime Winner, Then It Didn't Count, Then Carolina Won Anyway and Nobody Can Explain Why

The NHL's offside rule turned into an absolute nightmare in Carolina last night, and it's time we talk about how broken this is. With 2:42 left in the first overtime period of game 2 between the Hurricanes and Senators, Mark Jankowski ripped what looked like the series-clinching goal. Benches cleared. The building went nuts. Fans were already heading to the parking lot. Then, 30 seconds before that goal, the refs said wait. Carolina's zone entry was offside. No goal. Overtime continues.

Possession Versus Control: A Rule That Makes Zero Sense

Here's where it gets weird. The issue wasn't even Jordan Martinook entering the zone too early. It was Jordan Staal. According to the NHL's explanation, Staal "had possession but not control" when he first entered the zone. Let that sink in for a second. A player can have possession of the puck but not control? And if that's the case, crossing the blue line with possession but without control means the whole play is dead? The NHL has officially turned the offside rule into something more confusing than what counts as a catch in the NFL. And now they've somehow merged both rulebooks into one nightmare scenario.

The Real Disaster: A Goal Gets Waived Off But the Penalty Shot Still Counts

But wait, there's more stupidity here. Carolina's goal gets waved off because of the offside call, but somehow, somehow, the Hurricanes still get awarded a penalty shot. Think about that. If the offside invalidates the play, shouldn't everything that happens after it not count? Not in the NHL, apparently. Goals are erased. Penalties still stand. Jordan Martinook got his chance on the penalty shot in overtime, and spoiler alert, he didn't score. Then in the second overtime period, Martinook got his redemption and actually delivered for the Canes. Final result? Same as the first overtime would have given them, just delayed by another 20 minutes. If that offside call had cost Carolina the game, Rod Brind'Amour probably would have had to be physically removed from the building. For Ottawa? They got a second chance at life after that chaos and still couldn't capitalize. That's how you know it's not your time.

This is the game we're watching. This is what hockey has become after 150 years.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.