NHL's Post-Game Scoring Change Strips Kyle Connor of Hat Trick in Game Against Maple Leafs

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Tom Banks
October 29, 2024 (7:48)

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Kyle Connor scored a hat-trick in the Winnipeg Jets first loss of the season, or so we thought, as the NHL have now made the shock call to overturn the decision.

On Monday night, the Winnipeg Jets took on the Toronto Maple Leafs in a high-profile clash, with the biggest storyline of the game being the Jets perfect 8-0-0 start on the season being at risk once more. Unfortunately for Winnipeg fans, the Maple Leafs began the game hot and stayed that way all night, and while the Jets made it close, it was Toronto that came away winners of this one in the end.

One big positive for Winnipeg however was the hat-trick to veteran star Kyle Connor, who has been off to a red-hot start this season with 8 goals and 14 points through the nine games the team have played. That was nine goals, but unfortunately the NHL have made the shocking call to erase Connor's hat-trick, as they announced that the goal will be instead awarded to Gabriel Vilardi.

This was an unpopular move due to Connor's hat-trick on the night, which would have him at an even goal per game this season, with questions as to why the league made this change. Unsurprisingly, this led to outrage on social media, as footage of the goal has circulated showing no clear touch from Vilardi, with the goal seemingly all for Connor despite the change.

With no clear evidence to this point as to why the league made the change, as it became clear that Vilardi was not the clear goal scorer on the play, it's called into question the motives of the league to make this change. Ultimately, the changed call has absolutely no bearing on the final 6-4 result, which saw the Maple Leafs upset the Jets for their first loss of the season, but it is something that may become a huge story moving forward.