Toronto Maple Leafs: Frederik Andersen Top Saves

5. v. San Jose Sharks

Are you not entertained? I am. Let’s take a closer look at this one. The puck is directed on the net and gets deflected up and over Andersen. He stands to attention and reaches out with the intention of catching it in his glove. It ends up that he just knocks it out of harm’s way, which works too.

I can imagine my good buddy, Luke Hendriks saying, ” he just gave it a poke, eh?” He wouldn’t have been wrong. Andersen did just give it a poke.

It looks like the puck would’ve gone past the net even if he didn’t hit it away. But, it’s what happens after that makes it a decent save sequence.

The puck lands right in front of Chris Tierney who spins and fires it on the net. Andersen’s on his back when the puck hits his leg. He adjusts his positioning from his back to his knees. Meanwhile, Mikkel Boedker has been circling the net like a shark circles dinner. *Pause and reflect.*

He grabs the loose puck and tries to tuck it in around the post. Andersen gathers it and makes the save. A pretty nerve-racking sequence of events. If it weren’t for him reaching out, falling over and still managing to make the save, another would sit at this spot.

4. v. New York Rangers

Who knew that when the Leafs would play the Rangers, they would have to watch out for Michael Grabner? I know, the guy that scored nine goals with the Leafs last year and now has 26 with a new club. I’m not bitter.

Well, he makes for an offensive threat every time he’s on the ice. This is no exception. Grabner’s standing alone in front of Andersen with a wide open net for a good two seconds. He takes a bender of a shot, which should be for an easy goal.

Too bad for him, Andersen has Stretch Armstrong-like abilities. Somehow, he spreads across and stops the puck with his left pad. The athleticism on display here is unbelievable.

I have to point out that Connor Brown doesn’t look like he knows what he’s doing on the defensive side of the puck in this play. He’s just idle in front of the net. Had he covered Graber, the scoring chance wouldn’t have been there in the first place.

3. v. Washington Capitals

I had to watch this one a couple times to give it a proper look. Let’s break it down into some bite sized pieces. Morgan Rielly trips over Andersen’s pad while screening him. So, he’s doing two things that aren’t helpful.

As Andersen falls to the ice because of Rielly mishap, his head is still up and locked in on the puck. He’s tracking it the whole way. Through Rielly’s legs, he stops it with his blocker. At this point, he’s sprawled out all over the ice.

Realizing that he directed the puck into the lane in front of the net, he rolls around and puts his right arms down to deny Alex Ovechkin the easy tap in.

The puck trickles to the side of the net where James van Riemsdyk swoops in and gains possession. Another sequence save. One where you have to watch it a few times to understand the quality work Andersen does to keep the puck out of the back of the net.

2. v. Buffalo Sabres

It’s not like Andersen was interfered with here. Oh wait, he was and still manages to make an incredible save for what should’ve been an easy goal for All-Star Zemgus Girgensons. Yes, he was at an All-Star Game thanks to Latvian fans. Let’s not forget that.

Back to the save. Again, Andersen shows tremendous athleticism by spreading across to stop the puck on the goal line. Girgensons it left all alone at the side of the net because Ben Smith wasn’t doing his job.

It doesn’t phase Andersen who knows he’ll have to put on a clinic every once in a while because of the meek crop of Leafs defenders. After making the initial save, he stops another shot and redirects it behind the net to get back in position.

1. v. St. Louis Blues

Hold on, let me put on the glasses I never wear. I can’t be seeing this right. Did Andersen just make a save while he was on his side, laying in what seems like a rather lackadaisical position? Yes, he did. Watch it again.

He’s already knocked over and trying to get back into position could leave a few holes for Colton Parayko to poke through. He just stays put, forcing Parayko to act first. He shoots it from a distance allowing Andersen the time to react.

The second angle on the video shows off the save a bit better. We’re able to see Andersen laying on his side just waiting for the shot. Instead of overreacting, he throws his glove up and catches the puck.

He turns a probable scoring chance into a highlight real save, his best as a Leaf. Parayko had almost half the net to shoot the puck in. A good scoring chance stopped by a greater save.

Bonus

Aren’t you glad you made it to the bonus round? Here’s a funny clip. It kind of reminds me of when Sean Avery waved his stick in front of Martin Brodeur to distract him. Not a classy move but, effective as it resulted in a goal.

The difference here being that Connor McDavid isn’t trying to be a pest.

I think Andersen just wanted to say hi to McDavid but, I’m not sure. It kind of looks like a reverse of the whole Avery-Brodeur incident. Maybe Andersen didn’t want him looking at Rielly holding onto the puck for some reason? Who knows.