Maple Leafs Receiving Huge Boost This Week
The Toronto Maple Leafs are getting healthy at the perfect time as they have two games remaining before playoffs. Head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed on Tuesday that goaltender Frederik Andersen will start on Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators, after a 23 game absence.
The Leafs coach also confirmed that Nick Foligno is expected to return to the lineup and forwards Zach Hyman and Riley Nash should be ready for game one of the playoffs. Some feel if the Leafs weren't in a cap crunch, Nash and Hyman would both be suiting up on Wednesday, but with Andersen coming off the LTIR, it makes the transactions a little bit more complex.
Speaking of Andersen, he appeared in two AHL games recently and while he appeared to be sharp at times, he let in some questionable goals that has Leafs Nation a touch worried. For the Leafs, they just want Andersen to get his confidence back as he's expected to be the backup for the playoff run after Jack Campbell is their newly minted starting netminder. Campbell is 17-2-2 with a .923 save % and a 2.11 GAA, so needless to say he appears capable of getting the job done.
The Maple Leafs haven't made it to the second round in over 15 years. This season feels different and with the additions management has brought in over the course of this season, Leafs Nation feels as confident as ever to say 'this is our year'. The rest of the NHL waits for the Maple Leafs to prove it.
Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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