Murray could be set to make his first Maple Leafs appearance since 2023.
It sounds like Matt Murray's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs is now.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, Murray is reading to make his first NHL appearance since April 2023.
The 30-year-old goaltender stopped all 27 shots he faced on Wednesday night against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 3-0 win in his first start since recovering from an undisclosed injury.
The Maple Leafs' goaltending depth has been tested after it was revealed by GM Brad Treliving earlier in the week that Anthony Stolarz would be out for four to six weeks after undergoing a procedure on Wednesday to remove a "loose body" in the goaltender's knee.
The Maple Leafs signed Murray to a one-year deal worth $775,000 to be the club's third goaltender after he missed all of last season recovering from double hip surgery. Because the goaltender was still ramping up in his return, the Leafs called up prospect goaltender Dennis Hildeby earlier in the season when the club needed a third goalie after Joseph Woll missed the first couple of weeks due to groin tightness.
Hildeby is 2-1-0 with the Leafs this season with a .875 save percentage.
Following the Leafs 5-3 win against the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube commented on Murray's win against Wilkes-Barre.
"This guy's got a lot of experience, and he's won," Berube said.
"So, you know, like I said, we're going to look at everything and make some decisions.
The Maple Leafs have a pair of back-to-back games coming up first on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres followed by Saturday at home against the New York Islanders.
If and when the Leafs call up Murray, they will more than likely send Hildeby back with the Marlies. The goaltender has only played in six games with the AHL club with a 2-2-2 record with an .897 save percentage. He last played in the NHL on April 2, 2023, making five saves on seven shots in a relief performance against the Detroit Red Wings.