Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen will start Monday against the Colorado Avalanche, his first start since Dec. 22.
Garret Sparks, who hasn’t played since Dec. 29, will also return and back up Andersen against the Avalanche.
Andersen missed the Maple Leafs’ first seven games after the Christmas break with a groin injury. The 29-year-old has a 20-9-1 record this season, which has him tied for third in wins in the NHL. His .923 save percentage ranks sixth among goalies with at least 10 starts and his 2.50 goals-against average is ranked 12th.
Sparks, 25, was put in concussion protocol on Jan. 3. In 10 games this season, his first as the Maple Leafs’ primary backup, he has a 6-2-1 record with a 3.01 goals-against average and .905 save percentage.
Michael Hutchinson, who was acquired by the Maple Leafs on Dec. 29 and had started every game since Jan. 3, will not dress Monday. Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston reported during Saturday’s Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada that if Hutchinson plays one more game, he will need to clear waivers before he can be sent to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
On Monday, the Maple Leafs loaned Hutchinson to the Marlies.
In early October, the Maple Leafs lost two goalies, Curtis McElhinney and Calvin Pickard, off waivers to the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively.
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