The way the rule is worded, the fact the puck is likely to go into the net on its own doesn’t matter IMO.
The rule is whether the puck is propelled into the net using a “distinct kicking motion”. And that using the skate to propel the puck into the net WITHOUT using a “distinct kicking motion” is legal.
So what is a “distinct” kicking motion? Distinct means everyone knows it when they see it. Because people know what it means to kick a puck into the net. So even if you accept that Coleman purposely slid his skate towards the puck (which he admittedly did), that is not a “distinct” kicking motion.
Anyone who says otherwise is ignoring the replays of all the other goals that have been allowed where there is a much clearer kicking motion. The NHL simply got it wrong, either due to incompetence or something else entirely.
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