Coach’s challenges always go against the Capitals

Ivan Provorov caused a stir after scoring a controversial goal against the Washington Capitals on Saturday night. It began with a prolonged scramble in front of Charlie Lindgren and led to Provorov sweeping in a loose puck, bringing the Columbus Blue Jackets within one goal of the Caps. However, Capitals coach Spencer Carbery challenged the play, arguing that Columbus forward Mathieu Olivier had impeded Lindgren from making the save. The challenge forced the officials to review the play for potential goalie interference.

Ultimately, the officials upheld the goal, ruling against the Capitals, which marked the seventh time they’ve faced such a ruling this season.

This season has seen a total of 46 coach’s challenges, not including those initiated by the league. Teams only ask for a review if they have high confidence that officials will see it their way, resulting in a 72 percent success rate for challenges. However, success heavily depends on the nature of the challenge, and offside challenges have historically been the most successful.

Challenge type	Successes	Total	Success rate
Goalie interference	7	13	54%
Missed stoppage	0	4	0%
Offside	31	37	84%

Notably, Washington has made one challenge for interference and one for offside, but both failed. Meanwhile, opponents have successfully challenged two Washington goals based on interference and three based on offside, succeeding in all five instances.

Washington’s struggle with challenges is evident, with the team having lost a league-high five goals to overturned calls. This causes them to fall behind significantly, as Montreal closely follows with four goals lost to challenges.

In total, Washington has lost seven goals (five for, two against) to challenges, which is four more than the next team.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t necessarily imply that Washington deserved to have seven more goals than they’ve received. Challenges vary, and it’s plausible that officials made the correct calls in each scenario. However, we’ll take a closer look at some of these challenges.

October 24 vs Toronto

Goalie interference

The call was right as Ovechkin made significant contact with the Toronto goalie. Notably, this could have been Backstrom’s final goal, but the call was accurate.

Peter’s ruling: good call.

October 25 at New Jersey

Offside

While the play was called correctly, there’s a philosophical disagreement with the ruling’s basis, yet the call’s accuracy is undeniable.

Peter’s ruling: good call, but I’m gonna put the whole SYSTEM on trial.

October 27 vs Minnesota

Offside

The call was justifiable as Ovechkin was clearly ahead of the play before his subsequent goal.

Peter’s ruling: good call.

November 2 vs NY Islanders

Goalie interference

Oshie’s finesse was undeniable, but the call is debatable given the standard applied. However, comparing it to the recent game’s ruling shows a disparity in enforcement.

Peter’s ruling: specious, arbitrary, churlish, insubordinate.

November 8 vs Florida

Offside

This play was a mess due to Wilson’s positioning, with a missed penalty further complicating the ruling. The officials’ decision here is in question.

Peter’s ruling: motion to declare a writ of boys will be boys

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While acknowledging the Caps’ success, it’s essential to highlight that challenges are a part of the game, and it’s natural to want to scrutinize them. After all, that’s the essence of sports fandom. Join me as we analyze these challenges, aware that the calls may soon shift in the Caps’ favor.

Headline photo: Katie Adler/RMNB