Maple Leafs Confirm Previous Speculation About Goaltender Matt Murray

After spoiling new Detroit Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan's debut with a 5-2 win, which included a highlight-reel play by John Tavares and Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube has made his decision on who will start in net against the Washington Capitals.

Marner's natural hat trick and Joseph Woll's 22 saves on 24 helped propel the Leafs to victory against the Red Wings.

Rather than having Woll take on a second game after a lighter workload, the Leafs have decided to stay true to their original plan. As per the original game plan, Matt Murray will play his second game of the 2024-25 season.

Matt Murray was solid enough in his first game to pick up a win over the Buffalo Sabres, allowing three goals on 27 shots as the Maple Leafs won 6-3.

Murray will need to be ready as the game against the Caps includes the return of Alex Ovechkin, who has missed the last 16 games with a fractured fibula.

Even without "The Great 8" missing from the lineup, Washington continues to sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division with a surprising record of 23-9-2.

While Maple Leafs sniper Auston Matthews won't play against the Capitals, the latest development is good news for him and the team, and should result in a return sooner rather than later.

In the interim, Matthews' absence has led to coach Berube making major changes to his regular lineup.