With Toronto unable to risk a loss against the Canadiens on Saturday, their decision in net could come with serious consequences if they aren't careful.
As the Maple Leafs look forward to a tough stretch of games that starts with a back-to-back this weekend, they are at least going to get some big reinforcements back as both John Tavares and Jack Roslovic returned to the ice after their respective issues.
Toronto will need both of them to be at their best this weekend, and it starts on Saturday against the Habs. Needing as much firepower as possible against Jacob Fowler, those reinforcements are incredibly important if they want a shot at winning.
Maple Leafs make a puzzling decision when it comes to their crease
Speaking of, if they want the best shot at winning all eyes turn to their goalkeeping situation, where the debate between who should start between Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz reigns supreme.
Bobrovksy was this summer's prized free agent signing, but hasn't performed up to snuff meanwhile Stolarz has repeatedly shut down team after team and has clearly been the better of the two.
With a few days off after a loss, Bobrovsky had time to reset - but Stolarz gives them a greater chance at winning.
Which is why the decision to put Bobrovsky back in to redeem himself may rub some fans the wrong way. On Friday, the Maple Leafs had Bobrovksy pencilled in as the projected starter against the Canadiens, which while an admirable move - may cost them.
Toronto needs to get Bobrovsky on track but they also need to win games
Bobrovsky no doubt deserves a chance to redeem himself, and it wasn't as if his game against Utah was a flat out stinker. He actually had some fantastic saves but costly penalties and a crucial non-call led to the Leafs coming away with a loss.
Bobrovksy has looked great at times and pedestrian at others, so it's really hard to know what we're getting. But October has always been his worst month, and he only improves from there - so Toronto is hoping history repeats itself.
But they also need to start winning and looking at the numbers it's clear only one goalie gives them that.
Stolarz has a 5-1-0 record with a 2.66 GAA and .910 SV% in six starts this season, with only the game against Utah earlier the year his real blemish. Bobrovsky on the other hand is 3-6-2 with a 3.27 GAA and .889 SV% and has let in his fair share of weak goals.
Right now, winning is as important as getting Bobrovksy back up to speed, and a great way to kill two birds with one stone is with a solid performance on Saturday.
But if he falters again, then the Maple Leafs can't hesitate to give Anthony Stolarz the nod going forward.
Who should be the Maple Leafs starting goalie going forward?
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