The Colorado Avalanche and Edmonton Oilers played one of the most exciting playoff games this postseason Tuesday. The Avalanche took Game 1 of their Western Conference Final series, racking up 14 total goals in an 8-6 thriller. However, the game came with a bit of controversy.

With under a minute remaining in the first period, the Oilers tied the game 2-2. However, just 11 seconds later, Avs defenseman Cale Makar beat Oilers goalie Mike Smith to re-take the lead 3-2 into intermission. The Oilers challenged the play, believing Makar entered the offensive zone offsides.

After review, the refs upheld the goal, to the delight of Avs fans and chagrin of hockey fans everywhere. Yet, looking frame by frame, it is very clear that the puck entered the zone before Valeri Nichushkin cleared it.

This left many within the Oilers organization and fans on Twitter very confused, some very angry.

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However, there apparently is a little-known rule that explained the situation.

Makar, who was in control of the puck in the neutral zone, pushed the puck across the blue line. But his stick was technically not touching it in the zone until after Nichushkin had cleared the line. Then, Makar re-gained control of the puck. He skated in, took a beautiful shot and put the Avs in front for good.

The Oilers would trail 7-3 in the second period, but storm all the way back. Edmonton cut the deficit to 7-6 with more than half of the third period remaining before giving up an empty-net goal.

This rule seems like it needs to abolished. Yes, technically Makar is not in possession of the puck when he pushes it across the line. But if an Oilers player checked him at that moment, would he be called for interference? No, of course he wouldn't. It would be a clean hit 100 percent of the time because you don't have to actually have your stick on the puck to have possession of it.

Edmonton got the short end of the stick with that call, regardless of what the rule book currently says. That was a massive swing in momentum that led to the Avs taking Game 1.

The Oilers are attempting to become the first Canadian team to win the Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens in 1993. Losing Game 1 against the top-seeded Avalanche certainly does not help their cause. The Oilers and Avs will get back on the ice for Game 2 Thursday night in Colorado.