Leafs' Andersen suffers upper-body injury during collision

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen didn't return to Monday's game against the Florida Panthers after suffering an upper-body injury, the team announced.

Panthers forward Frank Vatrano crashed into Andersen late in the first period. The netminder stayed in the game for the rest of the opening frame, but Michael Hutchinson later replaced Andersen to begin the second period.

Collision with Freddie Andersen. Not good but Muzzin nudged it along pic.twitter.com/DZmeDQ3uAY

- Omar (@TicTacTOmar) February 4, 2020

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said postgame that Andersen was "feeling better" and passed the concussion protocol, and he'll be re-evaluated Tuesday morning, according to the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby.

A long-term injury to Andersen would be a devastating blow to the Leafs' playoff chances, and it would also likely alter the club's trade-deadline plans. Despite some recent struggles, the 30-year-old Dane entered Monday with a .910 save percentage, a 2.87 goals-against average, and 24 wins - the second-most in the league.

Hutchinson, meanwhile, endured a brutal start to the season, but he owns a 4-2-0 record with a .913 save percentage over his last six contests.

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