Andersen Makes 22 Saves As Maples Leafs Win, NHL Roundup

By ESPN

The Toronto Maple Leafs made quite an investment in goaltender Frederik Andersen last summer, trading a first- and second-round pick to Anaheim to acquire the goaltender and giving him a $25 million, five-year deal.

He is providing quite a return.

Andersen made 22 saves for his second straight shutout, third this season, and Auston Matthews scored early in the first period, leading Toronto over the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 on Wednesday night.

Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said the Andersen trade has been "huge" for the franchise's turnaround.

"We knew we needed a goaltender," Babcock said. "We didn't know we'd be as fortunate as we have been. But we felt we had good, young players and we needed stability in the net."

Andersen matched his career high with his third shutout. He had three shutouts in each of the previous two seasons with the Ducks while splitting starts with John Gibson.

"The guys are doing a great job in front of me right now, which makes my life easier," Andersen said. "They are getting into the shooting lanes and keeping the puck away from me."

Andersen only needed one goal from his teammates to win, but got much more. Roman Polak scored late in the second period and James van Riemsdyk and Nikita Soshnikov had goals in the third to give Toronto a comfortable cushion.

The Maple Leafs moved a point ahead of Boston in the Atlantic standings and into third place for the division's third guaranteed spot in the playoffs. Toronto has played five fewer games than the Bruins, putting it in a relatively favorable position to make the playoffs for the first time since 2013 and just the second time in 12 seasons.

"These are more than two-point games for us," Matthews said.

Petr Mrazek stopped 24 shots for the Red Wings.

Wednesday, January 25 Scoreboard

Toronto 4, Detroit 0

Philadelphia 2, New York Rangers 0

Vancouver 3, Colorado 2

Edmonton 4, Anaheim 0

Thursday, January 26 Schedule (All Times Central)

Pittsburgh at Boston, 6 p.m.

Washington at New Jersey, 6 p.m.

Montreal at New York Islanders, 6 p.m.

Toronto at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Los Angeles at Carolina, 6 p.m.

Calgary at Ottawa, 6:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Florida, 6:30 p.m.

Columbus at Nashville, 7 p.m.

St. Louis at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Winnipeg at Chicago, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Vancouver at Arizona, 8 p.m.

Edmonton at San Jose, 9:30 p.m.