Pens will put whoever minds Leafs’ net to test
Facing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel is a tall order for a goaltender, but the question is who gets that assignment Thursday for the Toronto Maple Leafs?
Frederik Andersen was at practice Tuesday, a day after a sore knee prevented him from playing against Los Angeles, but he was less convinced than coach Mike Babcock was the previous night that he’ll start against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Andersen, who “tweaked” his knee on Saturday in Washington, thought it prudent not to risk it against the Kings and bought himself another two days of recovery.
After a pre-planned half-hour on the ice Tuesday, he told reporters he wasn’t 100 per cent sure of playing against the Pens. Babcock said he’ll now wait for the game-day skate and go from there. Emergency call-up Eamon McAdam remains with the team.
The coach probably feels a lot better if he needs to use Garret Sparks again after his 33 saves against the Kings, which followed an uneven outing in his only other start this year in Chicago.
“You look at my game tonight and look back at last season (when he was American Hockey League goalie of the year), there were a whole lot more similarities than in the pre-season and in Chicago,” Sparks said. “It’s nice to get back to trusting where you are in the net, to get some shots, see some pucks, play through traffic, make saves and control play.
“The nature of this position is having to be ready and be able to perform when called upon.”
The betting is talks will intensify between the Leafs and William Nylander’s camp as a Dec. 1 deadline approaches with the restricted free agent rather than see the sides drift any further apart. Both keep giving off vibes they want a long-term deal done.
For now, no one in Toronto will complain as Kasperi Kapanen has eight points in five games since his elevation to Auston Matthews’ right side, where Nylander usually hangs. Kapanen exchanged friendly texts with Nylander Tuesday morning.
“He said, ‘All good,’” Kapanen said. “Willy’s going through a lot right now. I don’t know what’s going on (with the contract), I’m not here to comment on that.
“He’s a brother to me. I get to play with those guys for now (Matthews and Patrick Marleau) and who knows what happens? I’m not trying to steal anyone’s spot. ”
Marleau praised Kapanen for taking full advantage of the opportunity.
“He’s using his speed, getting open, making great plays,” Marleau said.
Blessed with pretty good wheels himself, Marleau is impressed with how quick Kapanen is off the line.
The fourth Leafs goal saw Kapanen gather a loose puck from a bad Kings drop pass at the Leaf line, jet down ice and work a picture-perfect two-on-one with Matthews. His first goal, from behind the Kings’ net, was a calculated move to bank a shot off L.A. goaltender Jack Campbell as he came across the crease.
“I felt he was scrambling a bit and just decided to put it on net,” he said. “It looks good when you get a shot on net.”