This offseason, Toronto's netminding duo looked to be one of the better pairings in the league. Anthony Stolarz was coming off two brilliant seasons in a row and signed a four-year, $15 million extension in September. Joseph Woll appeared to show that he was ready for a bigger role, making 42 appearances in 2024-25.

As the poem states, the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray. Woll has been limited to just eight games due to injuries, leaving Thursday's contest with an injury that landed him on IR again. Stolarz suffered a lower body injury Nov. 11 in Boston, keeping him out and he has yet to skate. Your goalies in Toronto now are Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov.

The pressure is on Hildeby, as he will see most of the action between the pipes. He has posted a 4-3-1 record with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage through eight appearances this season. Hildeby will be counted on to help the Maple Leafs survive until either or both Woll and/or Stolarz return.