Dude was supposed to be on the bench.

Toronto Maple Leafs backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney was forced into action Saturday in the second period after Frederik Andersen was injured. Andersen left the game and didn't return after he was hit in the head by Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tom Sestito as the forward cut atop the crease.

Fast forward to the third period.

After a wild sequence that saw Pittsburgh go ahead 3-2 on a devastating Maple Leafs own goal, Toronto would tie it up, take a 4-3 lead, and then need McElhinney to make the save of the season - against Sidney Crosby.

Here's some ref-cam action:

Toronto needed two points to clinch a playoff spot in an 82-game season for the first time since 2004. It's been a while. And McElhinney, who ended up with 12 saves and the win, made sure it happened.

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