Projected Starting Goalie for Maple Leafs Against Predators Revealed
The Toronto Maple Leafs don't have a bad option in net right now with the red hot Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz currently surging, but only one can start tonight against the Predators.
After watching Anthony Stolarz put up a brilliant performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday evening, stopping 27 of 28 shots en route to a .964 SV%, the Leafs had a difficult decision to make on who to start against Nashville on Wednesday
On one hand, Stolarz is coming off of one of his best outings of the season against Chicago. On the other hand, Joseph Woll has won his last 5-straight starts.
To be honest, it's a little like choosing between a BMW and a Mercedes right now. Both are excellent options. However, Stolarz will take a back seat to Woll tonight, as the 26-year-old was not on the ice for the morning skate, meaning he'll be in tonight against the Preds.
Woll's last outing against the Tampa Bay Lightning almost ended in chaos, as the Leafs surrendered a trio of goals to blow a 4-goal lead in the 3rd period, ruining Woll's shutout bid and putting the game well within reach for the Bolts to tie it up.
Thankfully, William Nylander air-mailed one into the empty Tampa net to put the icing on the cake and secure the Leafs' victory in the final 1:16 of the game.
Recently, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos revealed that with Stolarz and Woll playing so well, the Leafs may be looking to deal a goaltender before the trade deadline, using their depth at a strong position to perhaps address a weakness at another or bring in some additional draft capital.
Perhaps a wise decision, with Matt Murray, Artur Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby fighting for starts in the AHL right now.
As for Woll, he will have an opportunity to make it 6 wins in a row tonight against a struggling Predators team, who have gone 2-3-5 in their last 10 games, sitting in 7th place in the Central Division with a 7-12-6 record.
Meanwhile, the Leafs are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now, going 8-2-0 in their last 10 and looking to make it 3-straight wins tonight at home.
Woll is 6-2-0 in 8 starts this season, boasting a 2.13 GAA and a strong .923 SV% since returning from a stint on injured reserve to start the season.
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