> MAPLE LEAFS
Leafs goaltender Curtis McElhinney stops Dallas centre Tyler Seguin in a 6-5 shootout win Wednesday. McElhinney was outstanding after he replaced Frederik Andersen in the second period when the starter left with what the team called an upper-body injury. James van Riemsdyk had three goals for the Leafs.
The Maple Leafs managed to pull off a win Wednesday while suffering potentially a much bigger loss, that of star goalie Frederik Andersen.
A three-goal game by James van Riemsdyk, a last-minute goal from Patrick Marleau and shootout goals from Mitch Marner and Tyler Bozak rallied the Leafs to a 6-5 decision over the Dallas Stars, giving Toronto a franchise-record 11th win in a row at the Air Canada Centre.
But the Leafs played the final half of the game without Andersen, who pulled himself with what the team called an upper-body injury.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said he believed the injury occurred in the first period when Stars winger Alexander Radulov landed on Andersen, snapping the goaltender’s head back. Andersen was noticeably wincing afterward but stayed in the game.
“It sure didn’t seem like much,” Babcock said. “He played after he got hurt, so I don’t know exactly.”
The worry is Andersen might have suffered a concussion, or maybe an awkwardly pulled muscle. Curtis McElhinney played a solid second half and was spectacular in overtime to get the win. He will play Thursday in Buffalo.
“It’s tough to lose key guys, but it gives other people an opportunity to play more of a role,” van Riemsdyk said. “It’s a part of any good team … having guys who can pick up the slack.”
Radulov was also involved in another play, forcing rookie Andreas Johnsson from the game briefly with a big hit. Johnsson suffered a cut under his right eye. The game was the first NHL appearance of Johnsson’s career.
Marleau forced overtime with a deflection with 16 seconds remaining as Toronto rallied from deficits of 4-2 and 5-4.
Van Riemsdyk brought back the Leafs the first time, with goals a little more than five minutes apart in the third.
The Leafs — sitting comfortably in a playoff spot — have tended to be cautious bringing back players from injury this season, so it would be no surprise if Andersen doesn’t dress Thursday. Babcock said he wasn’t sure if Andersen would accompany the Leafs to Buffalo. Injured centre Auston Mat- thews will accompany the team, he said, but whether he will play remains uncertain.
Andersen is the NHL leader in minutes played and a big reason why the Leafs have thrived despite the continued absence of Matthews, who missed his seventh straight game due to a shoulder injury. The Leafs could recall Calvin Pickard or Garret Sparks from the Marlies on an emergency basis if Andersen is not available.