The Toronto Maple Leafs have confirmed that goaltender Garret Sparks has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Sparks was hit in the head by a William Nylander shot during practice on Wednesday, where he was visibly shaken up, but finished practice. The team had confirmed yesterday that Sparks was withheld from competition while undergoing concussion protocol, and now it’s clear as to why.
In 10 games this season, the 25-year-old has gone 6-2-1 with a .905 save percentage and a 3.00 goals-against average. There’s no update on how long Sparks is expected to be out for.
The Leafs did, however, receive some good news at practice as starting goaltender Frederik Andersen, who has been out since Dec. 22 with a groin injury, was a full participant Friday — the most work he has taken on since going down with the injury.
With Andersen expected not to start Saturday, the Leafs will turn once again to Michael Hutchinson, who made his debut for the team in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday — if the team doesn’t add another goaltender, as head coach Mike Babcock alluded to on Thursday.
Andersen’s status as to whether or not he’ll be able to backup Hutchinson is still up in the air when the Maple Leafs host to the Vancouver Canucks Saturday night.
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