Yahoo Sports ‘I Was Just Thinking Ahead’: Why The Maple Leafs Are Starting Dennis Hildeby Against The Canucks
The Toronto Maple Leafs hit the ice for morning skate on Saturday as they prepare for their third game in five days this week. As the session got underway, goaltender Dennis Hildeby was occupying the Maple Leafs’ net, making him the projected starter against the Vancouver Canucks.
As morning skate gets underway, Dennis Hildeby is occupying the home net and is the projected starter against the Canucks. @BodogCA
— David Alter (@dalter) January 11, 2025
Head coach Craig Berube pinpointed the decision to start Hildeby as part of a broader plan to manage the team’s goaltending workload. Speaking after the morning skate, Berube explained his reasoning.
“(Joseph) Wollsy's played a lot and you know, I was just thinking ahead too with Dallas coming in,” Berube said. “I just, I like Dennis’ last game. And we, you know, mentors trip, travel, travel home. So that's why I went with Hildeby.”
The decision gives Joseph Woll, who has had a busy schedule, a much-needed rest. Woll has appeared in eight of the Leafs' last 10 games, posting a 5-3-0 record with a 3.03 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage – including both of the club’s games on their three-day road trip.
Although Berube acknowledged after Thursday’s game in Carolina that Woll “wants the net,” and the 26-year-old expressed that he’s enjoying the increased workload, with the Leafs playing nearly every other day since the start of January, it makes managing their current number one option’s minutes a good decision.
Hildeby, meanwhile, has shown promise in limited action this season.
In four appearances, the 23-year-old has a 3-1-0 record with a .892 save percentage and a 3.23 goals-against average. His most recent start, a 3-2 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 5, saw him turn aside 30 shots for a .938 save percentage, earning Berube’s confidence for another opportunity against Vancouver.
Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev also voiced his support for Hildeby’s readiness to step up after the on-ice session on Saturday.
“He’s been awesome for us,” Tanev said. “I think he’s really a calm person, just goes about his business and does what he needs to do and prepares really well. So, I mean, yeah, I can’t say anything bad about him.
The timing of the decision is also tactical, with Toronto set to host the Dallas Stars – a formidable opponent ranked ninth in the NHL with 53 points – on Tuesday. Starting Woll against Dallas would give the team their best chance to secure a win against one of the league’s top teams who have won six straight games.
The last time the Leafs faced the Stars in December, Woll delivered a strong performance, making 36 saves with a .923 save percentage in a 5-3 victory on the road. With an eye on that matchup, Berube’s decision to play Hildeby against the Canucks allows the team to lighten the load for Woll while continuing to give Hildeby more reps.
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