Tampa Bay Lightning give up the most embarrassing goal of the year just hours before midnight

The Tampa Bay Lightning have made a late move for the worst play of year with a goal they gave up against the Montreal Canadiens. Midway through the first period the Lightning threw a harmless shot on goal. That's when things got weird.

As the play appears to end the referee instead decides to not blow the whistle. The lack of whistle was lost on the arena employees who started playing both the internal music and setting off the in game music. The Lightning took this as a sign and vacated the ice.

While the Lightning left the ice, Canadiens defender Johnathan Kovacevic realized the whistle hadn't gone and took the opportunity to fire the puck down the ice into an empty net.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED 😳🤯🚨

MONTREAL SCORES ON A BIZARRE PLAY #NHL | #GoHabsGo | #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/cVPbyYdSIU— The Cam & Strick Podcast (@CamandStrick) January 1, 2024

The Lightning were clearly upset by the call on the ice and did everything possible to argue the call, but to no avail. This play has created a lot of questions from fans, because it does appear that Sam Montembeault had the puck frozen.

What do you think, should this goal have counted?