Leafs HC Craig Berube provides major update on Anthony Stolarz's injury and return timeline

Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Anthony Stolarz is considered day-to-day, coach Craig Berube confirms.

Stolarz left Thursday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks during the first intermission. The Leafs announced that Stolaz had left due to a lower-body injury. Following the game, Berube told reporters that Stolarz would be evaluated on Friday to determine the extent of his injury.

Following practice on Friday, Berube told reporters, per the Toronto Sun’s Terry Koshan:

“We got good news on him. Day to day right now. Didn't go on the ice, but we'll see tomorrow if he can get out there."

When asked about whether he expects Stolarz to return next week, Berube replied:

"Yeah, I do. But he has to get on the ice. It was good news overall. Let's just leave it at that."

The update on Stolarz’s injury situation is highly encouraging for the Maple Leafs. Stolarz has played well this season, posting a 2.15 GAA and a .927 SV% to go with nine wins in 17 games. Stolarz has formed a solid duo with Joseph Woll, giving the Leafs much-needed reliable goaltending.

The Leafs will face the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night and then take on the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night. The back-to-back games will likely require the Leafs to use another goalie for one of those games.

Woll likely gets the start on Saturday night, with an emergency backup making the start on Sunday. Perhaps Berube isn’t afraid to use Woll on back-to-back games. However, that’s an unlikely scenario.

Maple Leafs recall Dennis Hildeby to cover for Stolarz

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled goaltender Dennis Hildeby from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported.

Hildeby will likely get one of the starts this upcoming weekend. Most likely, Woll starts on Saturday and Hildeby on Sunday. Nevertheless, Berube may decide to tap Hildeby to start on Saturday saving Woll for Sunday.

After Sunday, the Leafs play again on Wednesday against the Dallas Stars. Woll most probably gets that start with Stolarz potentially back on Friday (Dec. 20) against the Sabres at the KeyBank Center.

As for Hildeby, the young Swedish goaltender made the team out of camp following Woll’s injury. Hildeby has made two starts this season. The first was a brilliant win over the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 10, in which he gave up two goals on 23 shots.

However, Hildeby was tagged for six goals on 38 shots in a blowout loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 22. Hildeby was then sent down to the AHL as Woll returned to the lineup.

Hildeby was the Leafs’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft and is just 23 years of age.