Frederik Andersen Leaves Game With Injury

Down 2-1 after the first period of tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, the Toronto Maple Leafs took the ice with a new goalie in net. Frederik Andersen, the starter, was unable to continue playing following the period break and was replaced by backup Curtis McElhinney. It was not an equipment issue or sickness but, as reported later in the game, an upper body injury that Andersen has suffered earlier in the game. There has been no update since on the specifics or severity of the injury.

The Maple Leafs would go on to lose the game, but one result is hardly as important as the long-term health of Andersen. The Toronto goalie has 30 wins, a .919 save percentage, and a 2.64 goals against average so far in his first season with the team and has been especially sharp of late, allowing more than two goals only once in his past ten starts. The Maple Leafs have just recently made the jump over the Boston Bruins to claim the second divisional playoff spot in the Atlantic, but may have a difficult time holding that seed should Andersen miss an extended period of time. Toronto has eight games remaining, including three against Metropolitan Division juggernauts Washington, Pittsburgh, and Columbus, and desperately need their starter in net to maximize their points down the stretch,

Andersen’s injury could be the biggest NHL news of these final weeks of the season if his upper body injury does prove to be serious. Stay tuned for further updates on the situation.