Hutchinson happy for another shot with Leafs

TORONTO — Even though there are no fans in the Scotiabank Arena, it still feels like the stands are expecting bad things to happen when Michael Hutchinson tends the Toronto Maple Leafs’ net.

That’s not fair to Hutchinson. The beleaguered backup has won two of his three games in support of Frederik Andersen this season, and was hardly the reason the team dropped the third of those games, 3-0 to Calgary, on Monday.

“The more frequently you play, the quicker you get back into a groove,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson has a .928 save percentage and 2.35 goalsagainst average. Among NHL goalies who have played at least three games, Hutchinson has the 14th-best save percentage, third in the North Division. That’s behind Edmonton’s Mike Smith (six games, .934), and Montreal’s Jake Allen (seven games, .932).

The Leafs have four wins from backups in 21 games this season, with Jack Campbell winning his two starts before suffering a leg injury. It took the Leafs until their 45th game last season to get a fourth win out of a backup. By that time, Hutchinson had lost seven times and had an .890 save percentage and a 3.56 goals-against average. He was replaced by Campbell shortly after. “We were an extremely up-and-down team last year. We gave up way too many opportunities for any goaltender,” Leafs captain John Tavares said. “We knew coming into this year we had to be a lot better in front of our goalies, (Hutchinson) included. And you can see how solid he has been these last two (games).”

Hutchinson found some redemption in the playoffs last season with Colorado, winning two of three starts when the Avalanche lost their top two goalies. Brought back to Toronto, he started the season fourth on the depth chart. But the world works in strange ways. Aaron Dell was lost on waivers just days before Campbell got hurt. Now Andersen is nursing a little something or other.

“My whole career has been a huge whirlwind,” Hutchinson said. “It’s been going all over the place. I don’t know how many teams I have played for now. Quite a few. From the East Coast league to the NHL and everywhere in between. For me, it’s just enjoying the journey, and the moment that you’re in right now.”

Campbell, and perhaps Andersen, could return for the Leafs’ five-game road trip to Edmonton and Vancouver.