Mark Giordano robs Erik Karlsson of a surefire goal with sensational desperation save
The Leafs headed into Thursday night's game in San Jose with a 4-3-0 record and in need of a win to stay about .500. The wind could have been taken out of the sails in the first minute when Sharks captain Logan Couture scored on the first shot of the game, but instead of panicking, the Leafs were able to knot the game up at 1-1 thanks to a timely goal by David Kampf.
A short time later, Erik Karlsson was the beneficiary of the second in a series of two cross-ice passes, which put Erik Kallgren well out of position. The game would almost certainly have been 2-1 for the Sharks had it not been for an incredible sprawling save by veteran defender Mark Giordano.
In the end, the play paid dividends for the Leafs, who lost a razor close 4-3 game in overtime. Had Gio not blocked that shot, the game could have very well ended in regulation.
Giordano called it a "desperation" move during the 1st intermission, downplaying the high hockey IQ play that comes with over 1,030 games of NHL experience. The 39-year-old has been one of the few bright spots on the Leafs' blueline so far this season. I'm sure we can look forward to a few more of those clutch veteran plays this season.
