Joseph Woll was back at Toronto Maple Leafs practice on Friday morning, taking part in an optional skate following the team’s 3-2 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.

The 27-year-old goaltender has been out since suffering a lower-body injury last week against the Carolina Hurricanes, but continues to be on track for a speedy recovery. Speaking to media on Friday morning, Woll shared that while he won’t return for Saturday night’s contest against the Edmonton Oilers, he’s tracking to be back in the crease very soon.

“I don’t think I’m expecting to play tomorrow, but feeling great,” he said. “Every day feeling a little better and better, so happy to be back on the ice.”

Woll already missed time at the beginning of the season for an undisclosed personal matter, and now is out with an injury. Nevertheless, he’s keeping a positive attitude after the unfortunate ailment he suffered last week.

“It’s disappointing to not be able to continue playing,” Woll said. “But I think the real positive is that (Hildeby) has been playing great for us, and I think the team has been playing well. Really tight games that are going either way. So I’m just looking forward to being back.”

In Woll’s absence (and Stolarz on IR), Dennis Hildeby has been called upon to carry Toronto’s crease. Starting in net the last three games, the 24-year-old has posted an impressive .958 SV%, earning his first career shutout in the process.

“(Hildeby)’s been awesome,” Woll said. “I see him every day in practice, he works he hard and he’s a hell of a goalie. He’s carrying the load for us right now which is great, and I think he’s doing a great job.”

Backing up Hildeby is another call up from the Toronto Marlies in Artur Akhtyamov. The 24-year-old Russian netminder has yet to see ice time in the NHL, but Woll spoke highly of his character and talent from what he’s seen at practice.

“From the first time I saw him I thought he was sick,” Woll said. “He’s a good goalie, man, you watch him out there. I don’t know, the Russians are feeding their guys something different, he’s great. So it’s been fun out there with him, super laid back guy who’s always smiling.”

At the beginning of the season with Woll out, Stolarz was forced to carry the lion’s share of the Leafs starts. Then when Stolarz went out with an injury, it was Woll in between the pipes, until he got injured himself. It’s enough to prompt questions of how the Leafs are managing their goaltenders’ workloads, but ultimately Woll said his injury was just an unlucky break.

“To be honest, my body felt great (before the injury),” he said. “It was just something that happened, stuff happens. I felt confident that I was doing everything from my part, and it seems like each time something happens you learn something. Just happy it’s nothing too major.”

Unlikely to return Saturday, the next chance Woll could be back in the Leafs net will be on Tuesday, when the Maple Leafs host the Chicago Blackhawks.