Patrik Laine did not mince his words after tonight's game.
The Blue Jackets were victims of a blown offsides challenge late in the second period that gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 lead. Carolina would go on to win by one goal in a 6-5 final.
The Finnish winger spoke his mind, as he's known to do, after a disappointing loss.
"That's the biggest joke I've ever seen," he said. He followed up sarcastically, "It was so generous of (the officials) to take 40 seconds off the board."
Laine scored twice against the Hurricanes. His first tally was a beautiful one-timer on the power play to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead, and his second was another gorgeous one-timer to bring the Blue Jackets within one goal late in the third period.
This needs a NSFW label. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/VOWjsAYJ0s
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 7, 2021
Nick Foligno also sounded off: "It's a bad look for the NHL to not get it right." The Blue Jackets captain had a goal and an assist. His goal was the 200th of his career.
Why not make No. 200 a memorable one? #CBJ | @NickFoligno pic.twitter.com/CNTxP7ASD9
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 7, 2021
Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard also had some choice words: "I don't know what they looked at the first time, but we thought it was offsides the whole time...I don't know what to say. The damage was done. It would have been nice to have a tie game going into the third period."
John Tortorella refused to comment on the play, the review, and the whole situation.
"I’m going to let the league explain it," he said. "I’m out.”
What a crazy, crazy game. The missed call was just the cherry on top.
