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Andersen practices after leaving game against Anaheim

February 6, 2018, 3:45 PM ET [382 Comments]
Mike Augello
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The Toronto Maple Leafs exciting 7-4 victory over the Anaheim Ducks at Air Canada Centre on Monday was overshadowed by concern for the loss of starting goaltender Frederik Andersen, who left the game after being struck by the left skate of former teammate Corey Perry midway through the second period.

It was feared that Andersen (who leads the NHL with 45 starts and has arguably the club’s most valuable player since the beginning of November) had suffered a concussion in the collision, since he did not return for the third period and was unavailable to the media following the game, but the Leafs goaltender took to the ice as usual at their practice facility in Etobicoke on Tuesday.



“(It was) a scary moment, but I made sure we did everything right and I feel good today.” Andersen said. “(Perry) likes to go to the net, he tries to go in there and score. I know last minute he tried to get out of the way, his body passed me and his skate accidently (caught) me in the jaw.

Andersen indicated that he felt pain to his neck and jaw area when he went to the dressing room and went through the NHL’s concussion protocol, but did not return to the game for precautionary reasons.

Perry and the Leafs goaltender were teammates for three seasons and the Ducks winger reached out to Andersen following the game.

“He texted me right away and made sure that it wasn’t too bad.” Andersen said. “(Perry) is the type of guy who likes to go to the net, but obviously never means to hurt a guy like that.”



Head coach Mike Babcock liked his club’s performance in the first and third period against Anaheim and the offense generated by the top line of Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Zach Hyman, who combined for eight points.

“(The Matthews line) played against a real good checking line and they didn't affect them. That line tried to be physical with them early, they didn't let that bother them, they just played.” Babcock said after the game.

For whatever reason we didn't have the legs very good (on Saturday in Boston), so when they against (Patrice Bergeron)'s line, they didn't have much success, they turned over the puck and played a lot of defense. Tonight they were skating and working and all three guys were very, very competitive.”

Babcock was non-committal on Andersen’s availability for Wednesday, when the Leafs play the Nashville Predators in the second game of a five-game homestand, but based on prior instances when a player practices, they are available to play.

If Toronto’s medical staff holds out the goaltender for a game, the Marlies are not in action until Friday and both Calvin Pickard and Garret Sparks with be available to start on Wednesday or back up Curtis McElhinney against the Preds.

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