Strange situation confirmed by the NHL on Cole Caufield's first goal in Buffalo
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
We did indeed witness a strange situation Thursday night in Buffalo, on the first goal scored by the Montreal Canadiens, that of Cole Caufield.
A detail on the game sheet caught many fans' attention Thursday night in Buffalo.
On the Canadiens' first goal, we saw a very rare scene.
Noah Dobson was credited with an assist on the play, but he did not receive the famous +1 in plus-minus.
How is that possible?
A rather unique situation, confirmed on the NHL's official game sheet, on Cole Caufield's goal
For many, it sounds impossible at first glance.
In reality, it's not calculated the same way.
An assist follows the puck and the last two players on the team who touched it before the goal.
Plus-minus, on the other hand, follows the skates and the exact presence on the ice at the moment the puck crosses the line.
That's exactly what Luc Gélinas (from RDS) pointed out during the broadcast.
Dobson had already left the ice just before the puck went in, so he was not "on the ice" at the moment of the goal.
As a result, he keeps the assist, but loses the +1.
Even the statisticians had to blink twice.
"As pointed out by RDS' Luc Gelinas, Noah Dobson got the primary assist on Caufield's goal but didn't get the +1 because he got off the ice before the goal." - Chris G
Let's just say you don't see that every day.
This kind of detail happens rarely, but it does happen, especially when a change is made at the very last second.
To watch the goal in question, it's right here:
If you ask me, it gives a solid additional argument to everyone who believes that plus-minus is an overrated stat, if not a useless one.
Also read on Montreal Hockey Fanatics :
Canadiens send two players down to Laval following loss to the Sabres
Canadiens send two players down to Laval following loss to the Sabres
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