Stung by video replay rules

A few days ago, Major League Baseball approved the expanded use of video replays next season. On Saturday, the limits of the NHL’s current video replay rules became apparent -- and painfully so for the Kings.

NHL rules don’t allow for video review on plays in which the puck goes out of bounds.

That loophole became a sinkhole when the four officials on the ice didn’t see the puck hit the protective netting above the glass on a shot by Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall before it fell, struck goaltender Jonathan Quick on the back and caromed into the net to bring the Red Wings even with the Kings in the final minute of their game at Joe Louis Arena.

The goal was allowed to stand, and the Red Wings went on to score the only goal in the shootout and complete their rally for a 3-2 victory.

League officials were watching the game in their situation room in Toronto but said video review could not be applied in this instance.

“It is a very difficult ruling,” said Mike Murphy, the league’s senior vice president of hockey operations.

Colin Campbell, the league’s senior executive vice president of hockey operations told The Times, “Wish we could get involved but this is unreviewable. We are not allowed to get involved.”

Even Kronwall, whose shot was deflected upward by the stick of Kings center Jarret Stoll, acknowledged that he and the Red Wings had gotten a break.

“It shouldn’t have counted, but at this stage of the game, where we are in the standings, we’ll take it,” Kronwall said. “I don’t think anybody knew where the puck was. You look at the guys and everybody was waiting, [saying] ‘where is it?’ Then it bounced off the goalie’s back and in.

“We ended up getting a lucky break there. I thought we battled hard and found a way.”

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter described the missed call as “embarrassing for the league.” He added, “You should be able to throw

Sorry, there’s no provision for that, either.

Asked whether this might prompt a rule change to permit video replay on out-of-bounds situations, Sutter said that’s not up to him.

“You’d have to talk to one of them stewards of the game,” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

General Manager Dean Lombardi said via email Sunday that he had not spoken to anyone in the NHL office about the play.

TODAY

AT BOSTON

When: Noon PST.

On the air: TV: FS West; Radio: 1150.

Etc.: The Kings defeated the Bruins, 4-2, in their first meeting this season, at Staples Center on Jan. 9. This will be the second game in a back-to-back sequence for the Bruins. They lost to the Chicago Blackhawks, 3-2, Sunday in a shootout in a rematch of the Stanley Cup Final last season. The Bruins are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games.

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helene.elliott@latimes.com