The concern going into the playoffs surrounded the Maple Leafs’ goaltending.There was this circus about the backup: Garret Sparks was out. Michael Hutchinson was in. Hutchinson became a dad, so he was out. Sparks was back. Then Hutchinson was back.It seemed so important because No. 1 Frederik Andersen had been, well, average through the last month or so of the regular season.Last year against Boston in the post-season, the backup, Curtis McElhinney, replaced Andersen twice and it wasn’t a stretch to think Boston’s sharpshooters might pour it on again this year.Well, through six games in the first round of the playoffs, Andersen has addressed those concerns — and then some.Though the series is tied at three games apiece — with Game 7 and all that Bruins-Leafs history in play on Tuesday in Boston — Andersen has been, on most nights, one of the best in a Toronto jersey.Sunday’s 4-2 loss was not on him. In fact, had the Maple Leafs rallied to win — as they looked like they might after Auston Matthews scored in the third period — Andersen and his big glove saves would have been the reason for it.“He was tremendous,” Leafs centre John Tavares said of Andersen. “He obviously made some big saves, really key for us in continuing to give us a chance to win, as he has all year long. It’s just how steady he’s been, being our backbone. He’s crucial.”The Bruins dominated most of Sunday’s game — certainly the first two periods — and none of the goals could be deemed Andersen’s fault with the Bruins coming at him in waves. He made 37 saves.On the first goal, Brad Marchand knocked over Mitch Marner off a faceoff on a power play and fired a puck that deflected off Ron Hainsey.On the second, Torey Krug wired a shot after some crisp passing had Leaf penalty killers discombobulated, and Andersen needing to go post-to-post even to get piece of it.On the third, Jake ...
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