Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen came up just short of a personal record in Toronto's 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
Andersen made 47 saves against Calgary. It was a dominant performance which allowed Toronto, and more specifically Andersen, to steal two standings points in the shootout victory. The veteran netminder fell two saves shy of his career-high of 49 that he set on March 3, 2014 while he was with the Anaheim Ducks.
Frederik Andersen leads all goaltenders in the NHL this season with the most victories that required at least 40 saves. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/RKvXDej5xH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 7, 2017
It wasn't an easy night for the 28-year-old as the Maple Leafs earned their victory on the heels of Andersen. Toronto's offence generated 29 shots by the time a shootout was required to determine a winner.
Calgary held the Maple Leafs scoreless until a minute and 14 seconds were left in the second period. Maple Leafs defenceman Morgan Reilly erased the deficit as Toronto provided Andersen, who held Calgary in check since the 10 minute mark of the first period, with much needed support. From there, the two teams were gridlocked.
An absolute snipe from a non-ideal location. @mriles4 turns nothin' into a lot of somethin'. pic.twitter.com/aIB46vhNoF
— NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2017
Calgary's offence continued to push forward as it forced Andersen to set aside 17 shots in the final period of regulation. Overtime wasn't a walk in the park either. Calgary outshot Toronto 5-1 in the period but Andersen stood strong. He proceeded to stop three of the four shots that he faced in the shootout for the win.
The first star. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/7JVcf84fvL
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 7, 2017
Andersen's previous Maple Leafs-high save total was 45 in a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in Nov. 2016. Luckily for Andersen, he didn't have to endure the same result.