Toronto Maple Leafs: Recall Forward Kapanen and Goaltender Sparks

Toronto Maple Leafs: Frederick Andersen left the Leafs game Saturday with an upper-body injury. With his injury and a few fourth line injuries, the Maple Leafs have looked to recall a few Marlies players to help them through the last eight games of the season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have seen a few injuries happen lately with Nikita Soshnikov injured a few games ago against the Boston Bruins. In his replacement the Leafs had Eric Fehr make his debut with the team after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Penguins. In his debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Fehr was also injured. That opened the door for Josh Leivo to play the next night against the New Jersey Devils. He was injured and Brendan Smith was penciled into the fourth line.

Apr 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Garret Sparks (31) stands in net moments before the start of their game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

No fourth line player got injured that game but Frederik Andersen left the game during the first intermission and was replaced by Curtis McElhinney, leaving Leafs fans worried about their playoff chances.

The Maple Leafs today called up forward Kasperi Kapanen and goaltender Garret Sparks to help them with their dilemma.

Kapanen has been great so far this season for the Maple Leafs farm team, the Toronto Marlies. He has posted 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 43 games.

Kapanen was drafted 22nd overall in the 2014 draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins before being traded to the Maple Leafs as part of the Phil Kessel trade. Kapanen will be a great addition to the Maple Leafs penalty kill and add skill to the fourth line with Boyle and Martin.

Sparks is recalled from the Marlies after having a shorter season due to a suspension from the team due to the team's social media policy and injury. He is 18-7 with the Marlies with a .927 save percentage. Most Leafs will remember him from earning a shutout against the Edmonton Oilers in his NHL debut last season.

Although Andersen practiced with the team on Monday, the Maple Leafs will start McElhinney in net against the Florida Panthers. Sparks is expected to back up McElhinney.