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Toronto Maple Leafs: Frederik Andersen Injury Hurts The Leafs Playoff Chances.

By Johnathan Moran

Mar 20, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against the Boston Bruins during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs: Star Goalie Frederik Andersen Suffered An Injury Early in the Game Against the Sabres. Some Say It’s Upper-Body While Other’s Think It’s A Concussion, Regardless, This Hurts the Leafs Playoff Chances.

The second period started and Curtis McElhinney was in the crease to start the second period for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leaf fans let out a gasp in unison wondering what happened to Maple Leafs starter Frederik Andersen.

The replays showed a play where Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane falling on top of Andersen in what has the Maple Leafs calling an upper body injury. The play makes it look like a shoulder injury but there is also talk that Andersen could have left the game due to concussion protocol.

toronto maple leafs
Mar 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) makes a glove save during the warm-up against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

“Very few details from Mike Babcock, but his comments seem to suggest Andersen was removed as part of concussion protocol.” [Chris Johnston, via Twitter.com]

The Maple Leafs ended up losing the game 5-2 after the Sabres scored 3-second period goals on a fresh McElhinney. They were able to maintain the third spot in the Atlantic Division, although just by one point over the Boston Bruins, with one game in hand. If Andersen did suffer a shoulder injury that could put him out long term or did show concussion symptoms, will the Maple Leafs still be able to make the playoffs?

Schedule:

The Maple Leafs have eight games remaining in the season with two sets of back to back games. They will need to collect 8 points to make it to 93, which should be enough to secure a playoff berth. A record of 4-4 or 2-4-2 will be needed to make that happen against teams like the Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets. The last two in a back to back homestand to end the season.

If the Maple Leafs are able to come away from those game with a win or two and play to their potential and win like their suppose to against the Florida Panthers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning, they will be playing playoff hockey.

McElhinney:

Although letting in three goals, starting with his first of the game nine seconds after the Maple Leafs tied the game at two, McElhinney should not be judged on his game against the Sabres. He was fresh coming in against an energetic Sabres already up a goal, mad that the Maple Leaf fans were taking over the home.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: Andersen Exits Game with Injury

Curtis McElhinney was also thinking he would likely only play two more games this season and earned a win in his last game, where he saved 30 of 32 shots. While McElhinney might not be a starting goalie in the league, he is good enough to keep the Maple Leafs at a .500 record to end the season and clinch them a playoff berth.

Even if it is just to give the Maple Leafs rookies some playoff experience.

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