ANDERSEN DOING ‘AMAZING’ THINGS
Goaltender isn’t concerned about burning out
Day off ? Why in the world would Frederik Andersen want that? It’s not like he feels he needs it. Sure, he’s started in 13 of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 15 games this season — the most of any goalie in the league — but he’s also won a league-best eight of those games, while also posting a .929 save percentage and 2.18 goals-against average.
Those numbers have the 29-year-old as one the early favourites to win the Vezina Trophy. That is, if he doesn’t run out of gas by U.S. Thanksgiving.
So far, that’s been the only concerning thing with Andersen’s play. Five weeks into the season, the argument is that the Leafs are riding their workhorse of a goalie far too much. He needs to take a break, to kick up his feet and sit back and relax. If not, he could burn himself out — again.
“I think it’s been amazing the things he’s been able to do so far this season,” said Leafs backup goalie Garret Sparks. “We’re almost 15 games in now and he’s got a .930 (save percentage) — he’s right where he wants to be. It’s been nice just to watch him do what he’s been able to do with the workload he’s had and how he’s managed it.”
At this pace, Andersen could end up playing in 70 games. But for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, that’s not necessarily something anyone should strive for.
A year ago, Andersen played in 66 games for the Leafs. His best month was November, when he started in 12 games and had a .938 save percentage. His worst months were March and April, when he seemed to have run out of gas in the first-round playoff loss to the Bruins, when the team needed him the most.
It’s worth noting that Washington’s Braden Holtby and Vegas’ Marc-André Fleury, who played in the Cup final, appeared in less than 55 games. Edmonton’s Cam Talbot, who started a league-most 67 games, ended up missing the playoffs.
“I hate when people say he’s got to play 60 games,” said Andersen. “I don’t give much to those discussion about numbers. At the end of the day, it’s how you feel, it’s how you’re playing in the stretch leading up to the playoffs. Even if you play 70 games, if you have the last 10 off that might be easier (in terms of workload) than if you played the last 20 to get to 50 games.”
Like it or not, Andersen will get a brief rest this weekend when the Leafs play back-to-back games against the New Jersey Devils on Friday and then travel to Boston for a game against the Bruins on Saturday. With two more back-tobacks later in the month, Andersen’s workload should be less in November than it was in October, when the Leafs played just once on back-to-back nights.
The question is whether the Leafs will also rest him in situations when their schedule is lighter and they’re not playing on consecutive days?
The answer could depend on a few things: Andersen’s health, how well Sparks plays when called upon and where the Leafs are in the standings. That last one is perhaps the most important.
Without Auston Matthews and William Nylander in the lineup, Toronto has been forced to rely on Andersen more now than earlier in the season when the team was averaging close to five goals per game and scoring their way out of trouble. Since Matthews went down with a shoulder injury, the Leafs have averaged 2.5 goals per game. The reason they’ve managed to go 2-2-0 is because Andersen has allowed just five goals during that span.
“He’s dialed in right now,” said Leafs forward Mitch Marner. “He’s a big reason why we’re winning.”
If you were head coach Mike Babcock, there’s no reason to take Andersen out of the net. Not if the Leafs hope to catch the Lightning for first place in the division or at the very least keep some separation between themselves and the Bruins for home-ice advantage through the first round of the playoffs.
“Freddie’s a special guy and the guys treat him that way here,” said head coach Mike Babcock. “A guy like him, the more consistent he becomes and the more mentally stronger he becomes, the more confidence he has and the more confidence he gives us. And to me, that’s all a big part of winning.”
For now, Andersen is not only getting the Leafs into the playoffs but he’s also putting himself in elite company.
You can count the number of goalies on one hand who are able to string together consistent seasons. With a fourth-place finish for the Vezina Trophy last year, Andersen’s early results have him moving a step closer to that goal.
“You definitely feel like you’re doing something right, that you’re building toward being an elite goalie in the league,” said Andersen. “Even though you felt like you could do better, it’s a positive that you get some recognition and hopefully you’re knocking on the door of becoming one of the better goalies in the league.”
As for the wear and tear on his body, Andersen said you only get one chance at a career. Better make the most of it.
“You realize hockey’s not forever,” he said. “Right now, it’s a matter of playing the next game. I think I’ll have plenty of time to rest down the road.”