Well, here’s something you don’t see everyday (or, ever).

The Florida Panthers welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs into BB&T Center Tuesday night, clinging mightily to their postseason hopes.

Those hopes are strongly contingent on goaltender Roberto Luongo, and everyone in the building collectively held their breath when the netminder took a hard shot from Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov to the right shoulder and side of the head with 4:30 left in the first period. He appeared quite shaken up, but the veteran managed to finish the period, and was replaced in the second by backup Al Montoya.

The middle period went off without a hitch, goaltender wise. But then the third arrived, and things got interesting (like, really interesting).

Stay with me here.

Just 22 seconds into the new period, Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri went blazing towards the Panthers net and pounded in the game’s tying score.

In the process, Montoya appeared to injure his groin while sprawled out trying to make the save.

And that’s when 11 of the most insane minutes anyone could remember elapsed as the Panthers tried to figure out who the heck was going to go in net now.

Florida’s goalie coach Robb Tallas seemed to be the most obvious answer, despite the 41 year-old last playing in an NHL contest in 2001.

Various players on the Panthers’ bench also seemed to be signaling that they could suit up and stand between the pipes.

At one point Luongo appeared in the Panthers’ tunnel, wearing street clothes, and gestured to his shoulder area, as if to say if that could be protected he would go back in.

General Manager Dale Tallon was also present at ice level and spoke heatedly with head coach Gerard Gallant during the stoppage.

Meanwhile, Montoya was still hanging out at the bench but didn’t seem eager to get back out there. With no real precedent for such situations, everyone was understandably confused.

Finally, with no alternate ready and a restless crowd (not to mention opposing team) waiting, Montoya skated gingerly back to his crease and play resumed.

But as Montoya obviously struggled to move comfortably, the Maple Leafs took advantage. Center Peter Holland gave the Buds their first lead of the night 5:28 into the period.

That’s when Tallas came out of the team’s tunnel dressed and ready to take over.

He was reported to be stretching, and would be given a two-minute warm-up on the ice if he was sent in.

BUT WAIT! IT’S LUONGO!

With 9:08 left in the third period, Luongo himself skated back out onto the ice, replacing Montoya.

And while we all would have liked to have seen how well Tallas’ goalie skills have aged, win or lose, it’s hard to deny the heart shown by everyone involved.

(Although the Panthers did in fact lose, 3-2).