For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter The Toronto Maple Leafs have relied heavily on Frederik Andersen with their backup goaltender struggles and in the wake of their sub .500 record at the time Mike Babcock was fired, but after facing 48 shots in a win over Winnipeg on Thursday, the Leafs will go with backup Michael Hutchinson in a non-back-to-back situation for the first time against the New York Islanders on Saturday. Andersen has played 16 of the club’s 19 games since November 20 (including both ends of a back-to-back in early December), and is 12-3-1, with a 2.58 GAA and .920 save %. The club will begin a stretch of seven games in 14 days before their bye week and the NHL All-Star break later this month. Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that with no back-to-back games in January, that they had to find an opportunity to get Andersen some rest. Hutchinson (2-5-1, 4.03 GAA, .883 save %) has won his last two, but still has a way to go before eliminating the doubts that he can earn points in the games that Andersen does not start that could be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.
"Coming off of a good road trip, we want to start off well at home. You don’t want to be flat, a good start is key for us."
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 4, 2020
Discussing the focus for tonight in our Morning Skate Mashup. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/0RBaMKlVsg
Sweden isn't messing around... less than 20 seconds into the game and Rasmus Sandin claps one home! 😱 pic.twitter.com/BxO6W8ACYZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) January 4, 2020
Sandin scores his second of the game. His third point.
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) January 4, 2020
Sweden ties it at 3. pic.twitter.com/1QMvb8I1w5
SO MUCH WINNING
— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) January 3, 2020
Convo on Pod. Enjoy. @MikeInBuffalo @TheLeafsConvo #LeafsForever #TMLTalk https://t.co/elbUWOO5Bx