Steve Ott's Shootout Goal: More Replay Controversy

The Detroit Red Wings are in some unfamiliar territory, scratching and clawing just to get themselves into a potential playoff spot. With as tight as the playoff races are across the NHL this season every point is huge, which is why Saturday's controversial conclusion in Dallas -- a 3-2 Stars win -- could have a large impact on the standings later in the season.

After Detroit and Dallas skated to a 2-2 tie through overtime, the two teams went to a shootout. Dallas' Steve Ott was awarded the eventual game-winning tally in the sixth-round, which is where the nonsense begins.

There's a lot of replay footage, and not one conclusive angle that shows the puck completely across the goal line. Referee Rob Martell was right on top of the play and, without hesitation, emphatically ruled that the puck did not go in. After what appeared to be a lengthy video review, Ott was somehow awarded a goal.

Snapshots' George Malik wasted no time in expressing his (justified) disgust over the call, and offers up this glorious nugget of information:

According to Larry Murphy, Leggo and a linesman overruled Martell's call before the refs spoke to the front office in Toronto, and Wings coach Mike Babcock told FSD's Trevor Thompson, plainly, that the puck didn't go all the way over the goal line.

So the referee that was right on top of the play was overruled by two other on-ice officials before the War Room in Toronto could observe it and determine whether or not the puck conclusively went in.

Shocking.

It's been quite a week for the NHL and its replay system after Fox Sports Pittsburgh had to suspend an employee for not supplying the War Room with a camera angle that would have given Simon Gagne a shorthanded goal. According to the NHL, the league relies on footage from both team's broadcasts and the Philadelphia feed was not available for that game.

This is only going to add to the league's headaches.

The Red Wings still picked up a point for losing in the shootout, but the Stars gain the extra one which pulls them to within four points of Detroit in the standings. This isn't the first time these two teams have been at the center of some controversy as Brad May had a goal taken away from him earlier this season because of the intent to blow rule.