Watch: Gibson leaves crease to get his stick with Predators attacking in OT

What was John Gibson thinking?

The Anaheim Ducks goaltender got away with an incredibly risky maneuver early in overtime of Game 4 on Thursday night, leaving the crease to retrieve his stick while the Nashville Predators controlled the puck nearby.

Calle Jarnkrok had possession behind the net and James Neal stood lurking all alone in front of the empty cage, but the Predators failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity.

Ducks forward Corey Perry scored later in the extra session to even the series, but it could have been a very different ending had Nashville converted on Gibson's gamble.