Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll is getting the start for Monday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club, head coach Craig Berube confirmed via TSN’s Mark Masters. Anthony Stolarz will start Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Woll has posted a 21-12-0 record with a .905 save percentage this season. Monday’s game presents Woll with a bounceback opportunity, after he was pulled for poor performance for the first time this season, during a March 5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.
Calle Jarnkrok will also replace Nick Robertson in the lineup. Jarnkrok made his season debut on March 3 against the San Jose Sharks, after recovering from groin and sports hernia surgery. Robertson has recorded 11 goals and 17 points in 55 games, but hasn’t scored since a February 25 victory over the Boston Bruins.
Toronto held an optional skate ahead of Monday’s game, where Auston Matthews participated. Matthews is riding a 12-game point streak and has recorded 23 goals and 56 points in 48 games. Prior to Monday’s skate, Matthews vouched for Mitch Marner, who reportedly refused to waive his no-trade clause ahead of Friday’s deadline, in a potential deal for Mikko Rantanen.
“He’s handled things great. There’s certain things that are out of your control and that’s one of them,” Matthews said Sunday. “It is what it is, I don’t know what else to really say about it. Everybody’s focused on today, and when tomorrow comes we’ll focus on tomorrow and continue to progress as a team. We got our group now. There’s no big trades or anything that can go on now. It’s about continuing to take steps with our group here and pushing in the right direction.”
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Utah Hockey Club
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Bobby McMann-John Tavares-William Nylander
Pontus Holmberg-Scott Laughton-Max Domi
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers
Joseph Woll (confirmed starter)
Anthony Stolarz