Stars score strangest goal of playoffs off Devan Dubnyk's back

Call it lucky. Call it weird. But call it a goal.

Dallas Stars forward Antoine Roussel netted the strangest tally we've seen so far in Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday in Game 2 of the first-round series.

Here's how it went down: Wild defenseman Marco Scandella tried to clear the puck out of the defensive zone, but his shot went off Dallas right winger Ales Hemsky and ricocheted off Roussel's skate and up onto Wild netminder Devan Dubnyk's back. The goaltender tried to prevent the puck from entering the net by pushing back against it and knocking it off its moorings. It seemed to work at first, with the referee waving the goal off.

However, upon further review, it was a good goal. It gave the Stars the game's first goal in their 2-1 win, and 2-0 series lead.

According to Rule 78.4, it is a good goal because "the goal frame shall be considered in its proper position when at least a portion of the flexible peg(s) are still inside both the goal post and the hole in the ice."

Quick history lesson: On May 6, 2003, the (Mighty) Anaheim Ducks were playing Game 6 of their second-round playoff series against the Stars. Trailing in the third period, the Stars appeared to tie things up with a Stu Barnes slapper. But the goal was disallowed because J.S. Giguere's net was slightly off its frame before the puck crossed the goal line. The Ducks went on to win that one 4-3 (and the series, 4-2). It was that same year the NHL requested the pegs in the net be lengthened from 8 inches to 10 inches to make them sturdier.

So, as you can see, sooner or later, all the bounces in hockey add up. Sometimes it just takes 13 years.

PHOTOS: Best of the first round