Frederik Andersen’s time with the Toronto Maple Leafs got off to a rough start. Through his first five games he was 1-1-3 with a 4.40 goals-against average and .851 save percentage.
A lot has changed since then.
“I think in the beginning of the year I put [pressure] on myself a little bit too much and as the first few games went along I realized I just gotta go out and play my game and have some fun then the results will come,” the netminder told Hockey Central at Noon Monday.
In his five most recent starts he’s 3-1-1 with a 2.00 GAA and .942 save percentage.
The 27-year-old admitted there was a learning curve to playing in a pressure-filled market like Toronto.
“If you get caught up too much into it, it can wear on your mind a little bit too much and it makes you try a little bit too hard,” Andersen explained. “I just settled down and figured that I just have to be myself. That was the biggest thing for me and that way you can just enjoy it.”
His overall 27-14-13 record, 2.69 GAA, .917 save percentage and three shutouts are middle-of-the-pack numbers, although his 11.2 Goalie Point Shares ranks fourth in the NHL behind Devan Dubnyk (12.3), Sergei Bobrovsky (12.1) and Cam Talbot (11.9).
Any goalie who faces the likes of rising stars Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitchell Marner in practice on a daily basis is bound to improve and that’s what we’ve seen with Andersen.
“They have some amazing releases, especially [Matthews],” Andersen said. “He shoots it so hard and quick. [Nylander] as well. I’m sure you saw the other night how Willie placed that shot and how quick he got it off…Marner’s just a little bit more of a knuckle puck compared to Matthews. Marns has a really good shot as well. He gets it off pretty quick sometimes and it’ll surprise you too.”
Andersen is coming off back-to-back 36-save outings and a three-game winning streak that has the Maple Leafs currently occupying the second wild card in the East. Andersen has already set a career high with 55 starts this season and with crucial road games against the Panthers Tuesday and Lightning Thursday, Andersen’s teammates will be relying on him to be sharp and lead the way.
“I’ve been really focused on making sure I’m rested and taking care of my body every time I come off the ice,” he added. “I think that’s been the key part to feeling good and fresh.”
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