Joseph Woll will get the nod in his homecoming game, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed to reporters on Saturday morning.
Joseph Woll sounds like he’s expecting the start
“It’s where I grew up so a lot of good memories. A lot of family & friends there. I’m looking forward to being able to go there & see them & play there.”
Says his mom will be emotional
“She’ll probably be a nervous wreck”
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 1, 2024
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Leafs fans were concerned that Woll would not get the chance to play against the St. Louis Blues in front of friends and family when Berube told reporters on Thursday that the team was still mulling over who to give the starts to this weekend. Fortunately for all, the bench boss made the right call especially given the netminder is coming off a strong performance against the Seattle Kraken.
“It’s where I grew up so a lot of good memories,” Woll said after Friday’s practice. “A lot of family and friends there. I’m just looking forward to being able to go there and see them and play there so it will be good.”
Woll has been limited to two starts so far this season after missing the first few weeks with lower-body tightness which he suffered the night before the regular season opener. Anthony Stolarz, who is expected to get the start on Sunday against the Minnesota Wild, performed well in that time and saw his numbers climb up to near the top of the league.
Berube confirms to media in St. Louis that Woll will make the hometown start tonight and Ryan Reaves comes back in, either for Holmberg or Robertson.
— Lance Hornby 🇺🇦 (@sunhornby) November 2, 2024
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Berube also confirmed that Ryan Reaves will slot back into the lineup after he was scratched for Thursday’s game against the Kraken. Although he did not confirm who would be the odd man out for Saturday’s contest, Nick Robertson appears to be the one who will sit in the press box given that he did not skate on a line at Friday’s practice.
With the Leafs facing a roster crunch in the wake of Jani Hakanpaa and Connor Dewar going to the Marlies on an LTIR conditioning stint, questions about Robertson’s future in Toronto have once again come to the forefront. The primary reason for his trade request this summer was that he felt he didn’t get an opportunity and it is fair to wonder if he feels that he needs to make a move out of town.
Robertson has struggled to begin the season with only one goal in 10 games, a far cry from his dominant showing in the preseason where he potted five goals. He may get back in the fold for Sunday and make the most of his opportunity, but the saga will remain one to watch as the Leafs navigate their impending roster crunch.
Here are the projected lines for tonight’s game based on what they used at Friday’s practice.
Forwards
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Max Pacioretty-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Pontus Holmberg
Steven Lorentz-David Kampf-Ryan Reaves
Defence
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Conor Timmins
Goalies
Joseph Woll
Anthony Stolarz
Extras
Nick Robertson, Phillippe Myers