The Blues had a few chances to put game three away last night. An ENG from Jaden Schwartz instead of a missed net would’ve ended it. Not allowing Logan Couture’s game tying goal with less than a minute left would’ve ended it right then and there.
So no, the refs’ blown hand-pass call to conclude the game wasn’t exactly the only thing that cost the Blues a 2-1 series lead.
I don’t believe that the league’s refs explicitly have instructions that the San Jose Sharks must make it to the Stanley Cup Final so Joe Thornton can win it all.