As a return to the big-league lineup nears, Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Frederik Andersen will play a full game for the club’s AHL affiliate on Saturday.
Sidelined with a lower-body injury since March 19, Andersen has been slowly, steadily working his way back. The 31-year-old got his first chance to shake off the rust on Thursday, playing half a game for the Toronto Marlies as part of a conditioning stint with the farm club.
Through 30:52 minutes, the former big-league No. 1 made 12 saves on 14 shots.
“I felt rust in the first [period] and early in the game. Just trusting myself, I think, and I got better as we went on with the game,” Andersen said of his first game action in 48 days. “Knowing my spots, being calm and quiet with my feet, small things like that got better as we went on.”
He’ll get his next test Saturday when the Marlies get a rematch with the Manitoba Moose, who earned a 5-3 win over Toronto in Andersen’s first half-appearance.
The Herning, Denmark native managed to suit up for 23 NHL games this season prior to the injury, posting a career-low .897 save percentage and 2.91 goals-against average over that span.
The Maple Leafs have three games remaining on their regular-season schedule — Saturday, Wednesday and Friday, against Montreal, Ottawa and Winnipeg, respectively — before embarking on their post-season run later this month.
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