Washington Capitals comeback stalled by phantom high-sticking penalty

With 1:52 remaining in Game 4, T.J. Oshie was penalized for a high-stick that cost the Capitals a chance to come back from their deficit. The costly, and controversial, penalty could go down on the long list of Washington Capitals heartbreaking moments.

Just moments after the Washington Capitals pulled Braden Holtby for the extra attacker, T.J. Oshie and Nick Bonino raced after a loose puck. Oshie’s stick came up high on Bonino, and the Capitals chances of tying the game hit a tailspin.

After looking at the replay, it became evident that Oshie’s stick came up only as far as Bonino’s shoulder pad. It never made contact with Bonino’s face or helmet. Even NBCSN broadcasters Mike “Doc” Emrick and…