Breaking: Leafs forced to make emergency recall from the AHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs were forced to make an emergency recall this morning as it was announced that goaltender Curtis McElhinney suffered an injury and will be unable to backup Freddie Andersen against the Colorado Avalanche tonight.

Maple Leafs recall G Calvin Pickard from the Marlies as Curtis McElhinney suffered a lower body injury. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) December 29, 2017

Calvin Pickard was chosen over Garret Sparks, perhaps due to his previous affiliation with the Denver team. Sparks has a... sparkling 11-5-0 record for the Toronto Marlies, with an exceptional 0.936 save percentage to go along with that record.

Pickard, acquired earlier this season from the Vegas Golden Knights, has also been impressive, posting a 10-5-0 record, with a 0.919 save percentage and 2.20 goals against average.

*UPDATE* Pickard appears poised to get the start tonight against his former team.