Andersen not pulling punches after loss
LANCE HORNBY
TORONTO SUN
Frederik Andersen doesn’t raise his voice, even when it’s OK to be angry and is careful to backtrack and find the proper English translation when employing the simplest of hockey euphemisms.
But the Danish goaltender went straight to the point Wednesday night, when asked about watching his team get pressed into so many mistakes against the Devils.
“Today showed that talent doesn’t always make up for the mistakes,” he said of the 6-3 defeat, with the run-and-gun Leafs hitting a wall. “We ran into a hot goalie (Cory Schneider). You have to create your own bounces. We have to work harder at executing and then stuff will start bouncing our way.”
Andersen had lots of offensive support in his previous stop in Anaheim, but it was part of a wellestablished system that began with being responsible without the puck. Which is what coach Mike Babcock is hoping that Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander will develop as they go through their NHL careers.
“I think we know we’re going to get opportunities up front,” Andersen said. “We have to learn to trust that. It comes with playing disciplined and having patience in our zone. The offence will come.”
Toronto’s16goalsagainstthrough four games are their most since 2009-10 under coach Ron Wilson (17) ... Auston Matthews’ goal on Wednesday was his 75th point in 86 games. Charting some other Leaf forwards who reached at or near 75, there’s Niklas Hagman with 75 in 120 games, Chad Kilger with 75 in 219, Shayne Corson with 74 in 197, Denis Dupere with 73 (192), Pete Langelle 73 (137) and Frederik Modin (76 in 217) ... Andersen has now played 70 games, passing Jiri Crha for 30th place in team history. Next up is Gord McRae at 71 ... Never mind Carey Price and his good numbers against the Leafs, Schneider now has a record of 7-1-3 with a .927 save percentage against Toronto in 11 starts ... Former Toronto defenceman and alternate captain Matt Hunwick has appeared in four games for the Penguins ... There is a possibility defenceman Erik Karlsson is ready to join the Ottawa Senators from tendon surgery next weekend — in time to face the Leafs in a home game.