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Toronto Maple Leafs preparing for major goalie change against the Montreal Canadiens
Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs have a rivalry game against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, and this has led to a debate around starting goalies.
Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs are starting Joseph Woll against the Carolina Hurricanes tonight, and there is no denying that this is well deserved.
The goaltender stopped 25 out of 26 shots against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night. He also has a goals-against average of 2.53 and a save percentage of .924.
While this is all very good, there is some trepidation about just how much Woll is playing in Anthony Stolarz's absence. He needs some nights off, as you don't want him to get injured prematurely.
Thankfully, it appears as though Leafs head coach Craig Berube has a plan in place, and it includes prospect backup goaltender Dennis Hildeby.
Dennis Hildeby projected to start against the Montreal Canadiens
On Wednesday, the head coach made it clear that he would ideally like to see Dennis Hildeby get a start on either Thursday or Saturday.
Since Woll is going to be starting on Thursday, it can be deduced that Dennis Hildeby is in line to start against the Montreal Canadiens in a couple of days from now.
Craig Berube said yesterday he might get Dennis Hildeby in either today or Saturday, so it's possible the beast will go then. But Joseph Woll will start his 8th game in the Leafs' last 9, where he's been AMAZING.
This is the right move by the Leafs, as Hildeby came in for relief of Woll against the Canadiens just a few weeks ago, and he did well in the process.
Not to mention, the Leafs are playing the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night, and it makes sense to have Woll in net for that game.
Ultimately, it appears as though Berube has learned his lesson when it comes to managing his goalies, and is making sure that Woll will be good to go for the long haul.
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