*** UPDATE ON ANDERSEN AT THE BOTTOM ***
It might be just perfect that the Toronto Maple Leafs recalled goalie Michael Hutchinson today.
During Friday morning's practice, Leafs insider James Mirtle of The Athletic has just reported that star netminder Frederik Andersen took a puck high and went down hard.
He was seen talking to the team's trainer for a long time as Maple Leafs fans keep holding their breath.
In the announcement of Hutchinson's callup, there was no further information in the team’s press release regarding the status of back-up goalie Garret Sparks, who acted as the Leafs’ second goaltender on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
However, Sparks was missing from practice on Friday. Leafs rookie Joseph Woll was on the ice for practice.
Andersen is expected to be used as the starting netminder for the Leafs' final game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Sparks played his last game of the regular season on Tuesday as Toronto fell 4-1 at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes. The second half of Sparks’ first full NHL season hasn't been all that great: since Dec. 28, Sparks has taken part in 12 games, posting a 3-8-0 record with an .898 save percentage.
We will keep you posted on the situation.
For now, here is a look at the lineup during practice:
Hyman-Tavares-Marner
Johnsson-Matthews-Kapanen
Marleau-Kadri-Nylander
Moore-Gauthier-Brown
Petan, Ennis
Rielly-Hainsey
Gardiner-Zaitsev
Rosen-Dermott
Marincin-Ozhiganov/Holl
Andersen
Hutchinson
Woll
Absent: Muzzin, Sparks
UPDATE: Andersen has decided to stay on the ice and did not retreat to the dressing room. It could have been just a stinger, however, media members will inquire with head coach Mike Babcock after practice.
Per TSN's Kristen Shilton:
