Maple Leafs Make Late Pivot, Confirm Exciting News for Dennis Hildeby
After it had initially seemed as though Anthony Stolarz would start in New Jersey, Maple Leafs rookie Dennis Hildeby will make his NHL debut instead.
After a surprising initial report that New Jersey native Anthony Stolarz would get the nod against the Devils on Thursday after starting Wedneaday's game in Montreal, it would appear as though the script has been flipped by head coach Craig Berube.
Berube met with the media in New Jersey shortly before 5pm ET on Thursday and confirmed that it would not be Stolarz in net this evening, but rather rookie sensation Dennis Hildeby who would make his first career NHL start against the Devils.
Hildeby put together a sensational pre-season with the Maple Leafs, before ultimately being returned to the Toronto Marlies in a large wave of cuts made towards the end of training camp. However, an unexpected injury to Joseph Woll has opened up the door for Hildeby, who will now get his first official taste of NHL action.
The 6-foot-7 goaltender, who goes by the nickname the "Hildebeast", put together a sensational run with the Marlies last season in the AHL, posting a franchise record in the process. Hildeby's 21 wins are the most ever by a Marlies rookie goalie. The Swedish netminder also posted a 2.41 GAA and a .913 SV% across 41 games.
It will be a heck of an opportunity tonight for the 22-year-old netminder against his former coach, Sheldon Keefe, who refused to play him last year when he was called up to play backup for Martin Jones when both Joseph Woll and Ilya Samsonov were injured. Hopefully he's up to the task.
