Coach’s challenges for goaltender interference and the ensuing arguments aren’t going away.

There will just be a new place to direct the complaints.

With the goal of refining the consistency of goalie interference challenges, NHL general managers on Wednesday recommended shifting the decision from on-ice officials to the league’s situation room in Toronto. The change could go into effect as soon as the playoffs, which begin April 11.

The recommendation came out of the annual GMs meeting in Boca Raton, Florida, this week. Commissioner Gary Bettman said only perhaps a half-dozen of about 170 challenges this season were controversial, yet GMs overwhelmingly were in favor of a centralized location for final decisions.

Currently, on-ice officials have the final say on whether a goal should count or be disallowed when challenged. Under the proposed change, the officials would continue to be involved, but a member of the NHL Officiating Management Team – made up of former referees – would be part of the decision-making process.

HURRICANES: Defenseman Brett Pesce and forward Victor Rask will miss the rest of the season because of shoulder injuries.

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WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

COYOTES 4, SABRES 1: Clayton Keller had two assists in a matchup of the NHL’s two worst teams at Buffalo, New York, setting Arizona’s record for points by a rookie.

Keller has 55 points, one more than Peter Mueller had in 2007-08.

PENGUINS 5, CANADIENS 3: Sidney Crosby ignited a rally with a highlight-reel goal and became the third active player with 700 career assists in Pittsburgh’s home win.

Crosby’s picked up his 24th goal when he knocked a pass from Jake Guentzel out of the air, deflected it toward the front of his stick and smacked it past Carey Price.


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