High-stick non-call in Penguins-Rangers Game 3 looms large

5:55 PM ET

NEW YORK — This postseason has become the Stanley Cup playoffs of the review. The spring of breaking down the immediate past, frame by frame, to make sure the right outcomes are reached.

In Game 3 of the New York Rangers’ first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a first-period goal by Rangers forward Chris Kreider was overturned because the play was offside. It was the right call — just as every other overturned goal this postseason has been the right call regardless of how close the plays were.

It has been so for the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Islanders and even the Rangers, who had a goal stand upon review in Game 2.

But a day after the Rangers fell behind the Penguins 2-1 in this series following a 3-1 loss at Madison Square Garden, it was another replay that was very much a talking point.

With just under 13 minutes remaining in regulation on Tuesday night and the Rangers trailing 2-1, a collection of players converged in the corner behind the Penguins’ net. Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang was jostled against the boards by Dominic Moore and responded with a slash of his stick that caught the Rangers’ Viktor Stalberg in the mouth.

Stalberg lost three teeth in the encounter but continued to play.

No penalty was called on the play, and NHL officials confirmed on Wednesday that there would be no supplemental discipline for Letang.

After Kris Letang was jostled against the boards by the Rangers’ Dominic Moore in Game 3, the Penguins defenseman responded with a slash of his stick that …

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