Anaheim Ducks send goalie Frederik Andersen back to AHL

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — The Anaheim Ducks have reassigned goalie Frederik Andersen to their American Hockey League affiliate despite his 6-1 start to his NHL career.

The NHL-leading Ducks also assigned defenseman Sami Vatanen to Norfolk (Va.) on Thursday while recalling center Peter Holland and goalie Viktor Fasth.

Andersen is the first NHL goalie to win the first six decisions of his career since Damian Rhodes did it for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the early 1990s. The Danish goalie had a 1.66 goals-against average with a .943 save percentage while backing up Jonas Hiller.

Fasth hasn't played since Oct. 16 because of a lower-body injury. He began the season 2-1 with a 3.33 goals-against average.

Vatanen has five points in 17 games.

Holland returns to the Ducks after scoring one goal in four games earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Anaheim Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf is nearing a return from an upper-body injury.

Getzlaf missed his third consecutive game Thursday night at Tampa Bay, but took part in the morning skate.

"If not (Friday), hopefully Monday," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "He's getting close."

Getzlaf has 10 goals and 12 assists in 18 games.

Ducks right wing Corey Perry sat out the morning skate because of the flu, but was in the lineup against the Lightning.

The flu has affected a number of Ducks players recently, including goalie Jonas Hiller.