‘The refs kinda took over the game there’: Canadiens call out officials after loss to Oilers

The Montreal Canadiens lost 6-5 to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night – but all everyone can talk about was the officiating.

The Canadiens seemed to be in control, taking a 5-3 lead that made it look like they’d continue to take a stranglehold as the top team in the Atlantic Division. Instead, the Oilers scored three straight goals – including two on the man advantage – to sway the outing.

Edmonton had five power plays, while the Canadiens had just one. It all started when Juraj Slafkovsky was called for boarding Oilers defender Ty Emberson. According to Brendan Gallagher, the refs admitted the play wasn’t a penalty after the fact, and a mistake was made.

“They (Oilers) have some high-end talent. They don’t need the help,” Gallagher told reporters.

Of note, Josh Anderson was given an unsportsmanlike penalty for shooting the puck away from the crease after a goal, a play that angered many on the Canadiens’ bench. On the ensuing power play, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a power-play goal to make it 5-5, with Vasily Podkolzin finishing the deal with just over a minute to go.

Following the game, Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis said he was not given an explanation as to why the penalty was called.

Cole Caufield ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/DzrJSmQxPL

— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) October 24, 2025

“The refs kinda took over the game there. Kudos to them for winning it,” Cole Caufield told reporters following the game.

Montreal remains in first place in the Atlantic with a 6-3-0 record. With 12 points, they hold a two-point advantage over the Detroit Red Wings, who are currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak.

Caufield and Alex Newhook had two goals each for Montreal, while Anderson scored his first of the season to make it 3-2 to help spur a second-period comeback. David Tomasek, Adam Henrique, Andrew Mangiapane and Leon Draisaitl scored the other goals for the Oilers.

#Habs Martin St. Louis says he hopes NHL will look at video of refereeing tonight

— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) October 24, 2025

The Oilers have now won their last two games to push them into fourth spot in the Pacific Division. They have a 4-3-1 record overall, sitting just three points behind Vegas for first in the division.