Toronto Maple Leafs play things safe with starting goalie decision against the Blue Jackets
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight, and after snapping their losing streak, the Leafs are looking for two in a row.
As it stands, Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz is dealing with an injury, and we still do not know the full extent of said injury. That said, Dennis Hildeby and Joseph Woll are the two goalies on the roster right now.
Hildeby still isn't NHL-ready, and his previous starts are a great example of this. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Joseph Woll has played the last two games.
In fact, Woll's first two starts of the season have been impressive. He has a goals-against average of 2.44 and a save percentage of .934.
He made 29 saves in a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, and he ended up stopping 28 out of 29 against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
Joseph Woll starts against the Columbus Blue Jackets
When you weigh all of these factors, it should come as absolutely no surprise that Woll is getting the start tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The Leafs are playing things exceptionally safe here. Woll is the hot hand, and when you consider how he missed the first month of the season, there is no denying that he has the energy to play.
After snapping a five-game losing streak on Tuesday, the Leafs are aiming to get back in the win column again and get on a little bit of a streak going forward.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Columbus Blue Jackets preview
The Leafs and Blue Jackets have very similar records right now. The Blue Jackets have a record of 10-8-2, while the Leafs have a record of 9-9-2.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are seventh in the Atlantic Division, while the Blue Jackets are sixth in the Metropolitan. Both teams are fighting for their playoff hopes, which makes this that much more interesting.
This game means a lot to both teams, and that should make for an interesting matchup, even if the Leafs do have a ton of players out with injuries.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 20 | 489 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs play things safe with starting goalie decision against the Blue Jackets Do you believe Joseph Woll will secure the win for the Toronto Maple Leafs this evening? | ||
| YES | 228 | 46.6 % |
| NO | 261 | 53.4 % |
| List of polls | ||