Frederik Andersen outplaying Vezina winner Braden Holtby to give Leafs a chance vs. Caps
WASHINGTON — The finest goaltender through two thrilling games between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals has not been the reigning Vezina trophy winner.
It’s been Frederik Andersen.
The Leafs stand even at one game apiece with the favoured Caps largely because Andersen, the NHL’s only Danish goaltender, who has outplayed Braden Holtby — last season’s Vezina Trophy winner. Andersen stopped 47-of-50 shots in Saturday’s double overtime classic, his team prevailing in the 91st minute on the second of two goals by rookie Kasperi Kapanen.
“He was by far our best player tonight,” Jake Gardiner said after the 4-3 triumph, the 26-year-old logging 40-plus minutes on the Leafs battered back-end.