As you can see, Hildeby is primarily utilized on back-to-backs with the occasional start mixed in between, starting seven of the 19 games ahead with Woll picking up the other 12. There are obviously a number of factors that go into this that we can’t account for on December 18, including the possibility of either goalie getting hot or going the other way and struggling as Ilya Samsonov did for much of last season. In the event that happens, the Maple Leafs might be in a situation where they need to dip their toes into their depth and see what NHL veteran Matt Murray or breakout prospect Artur Akhtyamov can do with a couple of starts. They found themselves in a predicament comparable to the latter in 2023-24 when Woll was injured and Samsonov was battling his own issues, calling on another veteran in Martin Jones to provide some stability in net. In a perfect world, the Maple Leafs aren’t in a situation where they have to turn to someone like Murray to save their season, but it’s important to know that they have the option.

Either way, the Maple Leafs are about to fight arguably their biggest bout of adversity in this young season, and it’s exceptionally important that the team in front of the goaltender, regardless of who it is, bring their A-game every night to keep the stress on their netminders to a minimum. It could be the difference between a long playoff run or another early exit.