SportsLeafs coach Mike Babcock backs expanded video review

© Jeff Vinnick Mike Babcock on video review: “We all want it to be right.”

Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock thinks it’s a “good thing” that the NHL is expanding video review, allowing coaches to challenge more calls.

In addition to challenges for offside and goalie interference, coaches may now challenge goal calls on the ice that follow plays that should have resulted in a play stoppage but did not. If the coach is wrong, his team gets a delay-of-game penalty. If the coach is wrong a second time in the game, it’s a double minor.

“The biggest thing is they made it real clear, you have to be right,” Babcock said as he exited a meeting of the NHL Coaches Association. “We all want it to be right. The referees want it to be right, the fans want it to be right. So I think that’s a good thing.”

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The fact that teams could incur penalties means coaches will probably not challenge instances that are too close to call.

Examples of allowable challenges includes pucks that hit the protective spectator netting, pucks that are high-sticked to a teammate in the offensive zone, and hand passes that lead to the scoring of a goal. Discretionary stoppages, like a missed tripping call, are not challengeable.

Another change will see the attacking team choose its faceoff dot following an icing, as well as at the beginning of any power play.

“It’s real good, the centre going on the ice is going to know where he wants it to be,” Babcock said. “Ideally, it’s an advantage. It’s all about offence.”

Kevin McGran is a sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @kevin_mcgran