Some eyebrows were raised when Mike Babcock decided to go with Curtis McElhinney over Frederik Andersen in net Friday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs visited Andersen’s former team the Anaheim Ducks – especially considering the Ducks started former Maple Leafs netminder Jonathan Bernier.
If the Maple Leafs are going to remain in the playoff hunt they’re going to need Andersen to remain healthy so starting him on back-to-back nights against tough Pacific Division teams (Toronto lost in L.A. Thursday) wasn’t ideal.
McElhinney allowed four goals on 35 shots in a 5-2 loss, but Don Cherry supported Babcock’s strategy during Coach’s Corner on Hockey Night in Canada Saturday.
“Andersen’s a No. 1,” Cherry said. “Babcock’s right. He’s got to protect him.”
In addition to Andersen, Toronto is going to need a lot from recent acquisition Brian Boyle down the stretch.
“Brian Boyle, 6-foot-6, takes the draws, he’s terrific in the game, bangs in the game, I’ve always liked him when he was with Tampa,” Cherry added. “Gonna have a tough time signing him after [the season]. He sees our taxes and his wife comes from Tampa. They’re going to have to pay him big dough to stay.”
The Maple Leafs return to the Air Canada Centre Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.
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