Maple Leafs Throw a Curveball With Goaltending Decision Against Red Wings

Coming out of the Christmas break, the Maple Leafs will have a chance to avenge a recent loss to the Red Wings tonight, after losing 4-2 to the Wings in Detroit on December 14th.

On Thursday, the Leafs surprised a lot of people when they announced that they were recalling Thunder Bay, Ontario native Matt Murray and sending rookie netminder Dennis Hildeby back to the Marlies.

Upon being returned to the Marlies on Thursday, Hildeby made a statement by posting a shutout in his first game back in the AHL.

With Murray's recall, many felt as though it was pretty obvious that he would be the starting goalie for Friday's clash with the Red Wings. However, a report from David Alter of The Hockey News might indicate otherwise.

Per Alter, Joseph Woll occupied the road net for the Leafs' practice on Friday morning, indicating that he is the projected starter for tonight's road game in Detroit. Alter was quick to point out that this is a projection, not a confirmation.

The whole purpose of originally sending Murray back to the Marlies was to avoid having him lose any time on his waiver exemption by spending more time than is absolutely necessary on the Leafs' roster if he isn't going to be starting.

If he isn't starting tonight, why wouldn't the Leafs have simply left him in the AHL until tomorrow night against Washington?

There's certainly a chance that Murray still plays tonight, but more likely, he seems like the choice for tomorrow's game against the Capitals. Perhaps his addition to the roster was more about getting in some practice reps with the big club before Saturday's game back home in Toronto.

Murray's NHL return has generated quite the buzz over the past week or so, especially after the 30-year-old netminder picked up his first win of the season in his first game in 628 days back on December 20th against Buffalo.

The hope for the Leafs is that Murray can continue to play well and remain healthy, allowing them to take their time with Anthony Stolarz, making sure the veteran backstop is fully healthy following his recent knee surgery.

Whether it's tonight against Detroit or tomorrow night against Washington, the Leafs can count on Murray to give it everything he has to help put another W up in the win column as they continue to challenge Florida for top spot in the Atlantic Division.