Edmonton Oilers Star Corey Perry probably had one of the most unusual assists of his career in the third period of Tuesday night’s game against the league-leading Washington Capitals.
The Oilers trailed 3-1 to start the third period when center Leon Draisaitl skated into Washington’s zone and made a quick pass to Perry, who beat Capitals netminder Logan Thompson to cut the lead down to a one-goal deficit.
Corey Perry, #90 of the Edmonton Oilers, skates against Pierre-Luc Dubois, #80 of the Washington Capitals, during the first period of the game at Rogers Place on January 21, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
However, Thompson appeared to take issue with the sequence of events and pleaded with the officials that something had been thrown onto the ice before the pass was made.
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What was it that distracted one of The NHL’s best goaltenders? A plate of nachos.
“It’s a first,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said after the game, via ESPN.
“We just talked about it in the coaches’ office. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nachos-on-the-ice National Hockey League game. Did they save them? Maybe we can bring them into the locker room.”
Corey Perry, #90 of the Edmonton Oilers scores a goal in the third period against Logan Thompson, #48 of the Washington Capitals during the game at Rogers Place on January 21, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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A replay of the game showed Perry skating around the concession stand favorite to find the back of the net. Thompson admitted after the game that he should have played until the whistle.
“I’ve never seen that before. Obviously, I’m going to play the whistle. It’s on me,” Thompson said, adding that he saw the fan throw the plate of nachos.
“Wasn’t too happy. But credit to him. He got them a goal,” he said, suggesting the fan was an Oilers supporter.
Alex Ovechkin, #8, and Logan Thompson, #48 of the Washington Capitals celebrate a win over the Edmonton Oilers after the game at Rogers Place on January 21, 2025 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
For his part, Perry admitted he didn’t even notice the plate.
Despite the setback, the Capitals were able to hold on to a 3-2 lead for the win as they extended their winning streak to five straight. The Oilers have now dropped two in a row and their first since star forward Connor McDavid was issued a three-game suspension for cross-checking.
