The NHL has a problem - a really big problem - that is beginning to overshadow this year's Stanley Cup playoffs.

Goaltender interference.

It has never been more apparent than in Games 4 and 5 of the Western Conference second-round series between Edmonton and Anaheim, where the Oilers were clearly on the wrong end of botched goaltender interference calls - and it cost them both games in the series.

The rule leaves too much for interpretation. And in some situations, even though the rule is clear, it still isn't called properly.

The blown calls even have Hall Of Fame goaltender Grant Fuhr crying foul:

He isn't wrong.

Ryan Getzlaf's first goal in Game 4 is clearly goaltender interference. Linemate Corey Perry comes through the front of the net on Oilers netminder Cam Talbot's blocker side, and slightly bumps his skate and stick. Getzlaf shoots and scores on the same side Perry had come across on Talbot.

Talbot has to be given the freedom to make a save attempt on the play. Perry's bump totally disregards that and throws the goaltender off. Edmonton is up 2-0 at the time and it completely changes the momentum as Anaheim went on to win the game.

Then, in Game 5, with the Oilers up 3-2 and with 15 seconds to go in regulation, Ducks forward Ryan Kesler is pushed into Talbot. This isn't Kelser's fault - in fact, if I'm him, if I get an inch I'm taking a mile. However, as he's down, he grabs Talbot's pad. What he's done is the epitome of goalie interference.

Anaheim scores to make it 3-3 and then goes on to win in overtime. Kesler grabbing Talbot's pad - and the call being missed - is unacceptable to me.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

On the ice, I don't blame the officials. These are tough calls that happen quickly. Players shoot fast, everything happens fast, and that split second of interference can cause a goal. The officials, with some help from Toronto, are then pressured by 20,000 fans and two teams to make a decision on a tiny high-definition screen.

My favorite in all of this, however, is the conspiracy theory on my Twitter line which claims the NHL doesn't want the Oilers in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Right. No one wants to see Connor McDavid in the finals. It's terrible for the league.

Really? Ugh ... I can only shake my head.

My solution?

Make the rule black and white. No grey area.

When the goalie has any part of his body in the crease, even a fingernail, you cannot physically touch the goalie ever. Period. You can go in after the puck, but pushed in or not, when the goalie has any part of his body in the crease, you have to make your best effort to not touch the goalie. If you go after the puck and end up on the goalie, pushed or not, you took that risk.

I would also make it mandatory that the league must have a former NHL goalie in the video room in Toronto for every game. In a lot of situations, you have to have played the position to know what will affect a goalie and what won't. The position is completely different than any other in the game.

Oh, and if you don't like it ... you can call Grant.

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