Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 keys to advancing in Game 5 vs. Blue Jackets

Andersen needs to be backbone

After starting off the series with two incredible performances, Frederik Andersen will need to regain that form in Game 5.

The Leafs definitely left Andersen out to dry in Game 3 and didn’t make it easy on him in Game 4 but what he needs to show is that he can continue to bail them out. Considering how tough it has been for the Leafs offence to get goals, it feels like the goaltending battle will likely be a deciding factor.

In the four games, Andersen has a 1.79 GAA and a .941 sv% which has him in the top 10 among NHL goalies and the main reason why the Leafs are in this situation where other contenders were sent home early.

Looking at the goals the Blue Jackets have scored the past few games, it comes from an odd-man rush and in some cases, Andersen doesn’t read the shot well like the Cam Atkinson goal and some that Pierre-Luc Dubois scored in Game 3. This is why the Leafs need “Steady Freddy” because when he’s on his game, the rest of the team should follow.