Sharks coach DeBoer fumes over disallowed goal

The Predators levelled the Western Conference semi-final series at 2-2 with a 4-3 win in triple overtime on Thursday, Mike Fisher scoring the decisive goal for Nashville.

However, the Sharks were aggrieved not to have clinched victory in the first overtime period, with a Pavelski effort chalked off upon review after it was ruled he had interfered with Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.

Pavelski collided with Rinne before turning the puck into the empty net, although replays indicated he had been checked into Rinne's path by Paul Gaustad of the Predators.

The officials judged that Pavelski had pinned down Rinne before the puck crossed the line. DeBoer revealed the officials had told him the contact Pavelski's stick made with the puck had been dismissed as incidental.

"I don't understand," DeBoer said. "I guess incidental contact is you're cross-checked from behind while you are in the air and you have the opportunity to stop.

"I guess that's what it is. You know what, that rule has been clear as mud to every coach in the league all year, so why should it be different tonight."

Rinne said of the incident: "It was called off on the ice, and I felt pretty comfortable that it's not going to be a goal. Missed a bullet there, so that was nice.

"I don't care how these wins come if we have to play all night. It's 2-2 right now."