What happened: Officials assessed Cole Caufield a minor penalty for slashing with under a minute remaining Tuesday night. The call occurred during a 1-1 tie with 53.7 seconds left in the third period. The decision drew immediate scrutiny over late-game officiating standards in high-leverage moments.

Why it matters: Late-game minor penalties in deadlocked contests directly alter regulation outcomes and standings points. A two-minute infraction in the final minute limits offensive deployment and forces defensive units to survive high-leverage power plays. Borderline calls late in third periods often intensify scrutiny around officiating discretion across the league.

What to watch: Caufield and his squad move forward to their next regular-season matchup, looking to rebound from the late-game sequence.