Frederik Andersen's absence a major worry for Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs and their uneasy fans received good news when coach Mike Babcock said on Monday goalie Frederik Andersen's upper-body ailment does not appear to be a long-term injury.

Andersen departed after the first period in Buffalo on Saturday evening after he was bumped a couple of times by Sabres forwards. The Maple Leafs were behind 2-1 at the time and went on to suffer a 5-2 loss to their Queen Elizabeth Way rivals.

The suffering, however, continued all the way until Monday morning as Maple Leafs fans contemplated life without Andersen if his injury was serious.

But there was the Danish netminder working out with goalie coach Steve Briere before Toronto took to the ice for practice on Monday. Andersen then participated in the first 20 minutes of practice before leaving early for treatment on his undisclosed injury.

Andersen reported afterward that he felt fine. He said he left the game in Buffalo at the suggestion of the Maple Leafs' medical staff and the Sabres' team doctor. He just felt "off."

But Andersen did not shed any light on the exact nature of his mystery injury, except to deny he suffered any concussion symptoms. He, however, would not predict how long he will be out of action.

He did miss a few weeks in September after he collided with a Denmark teammate in an Olympic qualifier, causing him to sit out the World Cup tournament and part of the Maple Leafs' training camp.

Fly like the Eagle

The bottom line is Andersen won't play against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Curtis McElhinney will start and Garret Sparks, who was recalled from the AHL Toronto Marlies, will serve as the backup.

The Maple Leafs begin the final two weeks of the regular season in a playoff position and with a three-point lead on the ninth-place New York Islanders. Toronto has eight games in the final 13 days.

The workhorse Andersen and his 30 wins have been a massive factor in why the Maple Leafs are in a position to lock up only their second playoff spot in 12 seasons.

His .918 save percentage and 2.66 goals-against average do not place him in the top 10 in those categories, but only Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot has made more starts, played more minutes, faced more shots and made more saves than Andersen this season.

His consistency has allowed his teammates to play with confidence, knowing that there was somebody back there to make a key save and keep them in the game. He has provided the Maple Leafs with the kind of reliable goaltending the club has lacked since Ed Belfour left after the 2005-06 season.

Belfour, by the way, was the last Toronto goalie to win a playoff series when he recorded three shutouts in a first-round, seven-game series against the Ottawa Senators in 2004.

Pressure on McElhinney

Since Belfour's departure 17 goalies — remember the Jussi Rynnas era? — have come and gone and failed to provide the kind of dependability Andersen has delivered this season.

He was especially solid when the heat was on in the last few weeks, going 6-2-2 with a .936 save percentage to push the Maple Leafs into third in the Atlantic Division.

The Maple Leafs won't be the same team if Andersen is out of action for a prolonged period. McElhinney has been decent enough since he was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, but he hasn't had to perform in the pressure of a playoff race.

The 33-year-old goalie has been a career backup. He has only one game of Stanley Cup playoff experience. Back in 2009, while with the Calgary Flames, he relieved Mikka Kiprusoff halfway through a 5-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

So long-suffering Maple Leafs fans better hope Babcock is right when he remarked it's not a long-term injury for Andersen. He will be needed to close the door and make sure the Maple Leafs clinch a playoff position