Toronto Maple Leafs vow to turn their season around with starting goalie decision against Florida
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Tonight's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers is an important one, and it comes with a choice between Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a difficult situation right now as they are in last place in the Atlantic Division. They are only a few points out of a playoff spot, which is certainly a positive.
However, with the Florida Panthers coming up tonight, the Leafs need to put their best foot forward. With a win, they can jump over the Panthers in the standings, leaving their rivals in last place.
It would be a massive statement, especially after they knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday by a score of 7-2. Dennis Hildeby was sensational in that game, and it has created a bit of a difficult decision.
Do you go with Hildeby's hot hand, or do you go back to Joseph Woll, who has stood on his head despite his teammates not going to bat for him?
Who is the Maple Leafs starting goalie tonight?
Well, based on what we saw at practice on Monday, it appears clear that it will be Joseph Woll getting the start tonight, which is probably for the best.
Woll didn't have the best series against the Florida Panthers last May, although a lot of that was the fault of his teammates, who weren't giving it their best effort.
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Joseph Woll is coming into this game with a goals-against average of 2.80 and a save percentage of .919. Given how his team has performed, this is as good as it gets.
Whether or not he can get it done still remains to be seen, especially as the Panthers will have similar motivations to the Leafs.
Maple Leafs lineup against the Panthers.
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - McMann
Lorentz - Laughton - Robertson
Jarnkrok, Maccelli
Rielly - Ekman-Larsson
McCabe - Stecher
Benoit - Myers
Mermis
Woll
Hildeby
Cowan - Tavares - Nylander
Joshua - Roy - McMann
Lorentz - Laughton - Robertson
Jarnkrok, Maccelli
Rielly - Ekman-Larsson
McCabe - Stecher
Benoit - Myers
Mermis
Woll
Hildeby
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 2 | 359 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs vow to turn their season around with starting goalie decision against Florida Do you believe Joseph Woll will get the win against the Florida Panthers? | ||
| YES | 318 | 88.6 % |
| NO | 41 | 11.4 % |
| List of polls | ||