Leafs' Andersen after OT loss to Capitals: 'We can play with these guys'

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't just happy to be here.

In a tightly-contested Game 1 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals, the Leafs proved they can hang with the Presidents' Trophy winners, as far as goalie Frederik Andersen is concerned.

"We showed we can play with them and we've got to keep playing better throughout the game and improve next game too," Andersen told reporters.

While the end result didn't fall in their favor, Andersen believes there are some positive lessons to be gleaned in order to ensure this series is far from over.

"It's one game obviously and not the end result we wanted," he said. "We played really good and I think we showed we can play with these guys. That was a good game for us, but obviously you don't get a win for that. We've got to come back and play the same way and better."

Andersen stopped 41 of 44 shots fired by the Capitals, and was a major reason why the game was pushed to overtime.

Game 2 is set for Saturday in Washington.