Nazem Kadri talks about the Jack Campbell save that absolutely stunned him
For Nazem Kadri and the Colorado Avalanche, Saturday's matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs was an uphill battle, but it was one in which his club overcame a great deal of adversity to earn the two points.
For the Leafs, it was another game of many in which the team blew a large lead, allowing the opposing team to overcome a large deficit to secure the come-from-behind win in a game that almost always goes the other way, statistically speaking.
At the midway point during 3rd period of the contest, the Avs were pressing hard on the power play, down two goals and swarming in the offensive zone, putting it on Leafs netminder Jack Campbell.
With 9 seconds remaining on said power play, Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly attempted a clear up the middle of the ice that was picked off by Avs defender Devon Toews. Toews leaned into a hard snapshot with Campbell out of position and it looked as though it was labelled for the twine. Campbell dove across his crease and snatched the puck out of mid air, making a spectacular save, much to the disbelief of former Leaf Nazem Kadri, who was right on the doorstep with a front row seat.
It's difficult to see Kadri's expression in the video, but luckily there was a photo circulating on Reddit that captured Kadri's look of pure shock and awe at the sight of Campbell's heroic diving effort.
Kadri had a chance to touch on the play during a post-game media session. Here's what he had to say:
"I was in shock. I couldn't believe it. Looked like a slam dunk goal I was getting ready to celebrate."
"Save of the year, for sure."
There have been some spectacular saves this season and Campbell's diving save certainly belongs among the top stops of 2021-22.
The Leafs are back in action on Tuesday in Vegas, as they look to get back in the win column at T-Mobile Arena against the Golden Knights in the first half of a back-to-back, with the Arizona Coyotes as Wednesday's opponent. Campbell and Mrazek are expected to split the starts, according to comments made by Sheldon Keefe on the weekend.
