text: With Andersen out, the leafs have average goaltending at best (slightly below average is more accurate)...Some teams can overcome that and make do with average goaltending. But you need good to excellent defense (Like Chicago) or good to excellent back up goatending (like Ottawa) in order to accomplish that - of which the Leafs don't have in either case.
  
  The Leafs need Andersen in goal to do anything substantial. I think they can most likely limp into the playoffs without him. But they need Andersen at or near his best to win consistently...I am thinking this injury is short term because he managed to finish the 1st period. He probably couldn't pass the protocol, so the team Doctor erred on the side of caution - once he's out, he can't come back in. (Fingers crossed he's back soon)