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NHL aware of timekeeping error in Washington, issues statement

Braden Holtby

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 19: Braden Holtby #70 of the Washington Capitals makes a save during Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Boston Bruins on April 19, 2012 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NHLI via Getty Images)

If you missed it, a timekeeping mistake caused the Boston Bruins-Washington Capitals game to last 5.3 seconds longer than it should have. Late in the third period, Washington had a 2-1 lead, but the Bruins were putting pressure on Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby.

Holtby made a stunning save in what was initially believed to be the final second of the game and Washington earned a 2-1 victory. You can watch his heroics below:

The NHL has since confirmed that had Boston scored after the game should have ended, it would not have counted.

“With 9.5 seconds remaining in the third period, there was a stoppage and resulting face-off in the Washington zone,” NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy explained in a statement. “During the stoppage, the game clock operator and Series Manager determined that 0.9 seconds should have been added to the time remaining in the third period and attempted to contact the on-ice officials to delay the puck drop to accommodate making the necessary clock adjustment to 10.4 seconds remaining.

“The off-ice officials were not able to attract the attention of the referees or linesmen despite sounding the horn, which was not audible due to crowd noise, and the puck was dropped.

“The NHL Situation Room in Toronto immediately was aware that the clock had not started for 5.3 seconds after the face-off and, therefore, would have disallowed a goal scored with 5.3 seconds or less showing on the clock.”