Maple Leafs make surprising decision, starting rookie Dennis Hildeby over Joseph Woll

Joseph Woll will not get the start tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight against the Washington Capitals as it's rookie Dennis Hildeby the apparent starter for the Leafs.

Hildeby was in the starting net for Toronto in practice ahead of the game, signifying Hildeby as the likely starter rather than Woll.

The move is a deviation on the Leafs part from what has been a heavy workload to their three starting goalies this season, and an indication of a potential return to a 1A/1B situation in the Leafs net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't repeating their past decision to give their netminders multiple games in a row, and Dennis Hildeby may have earned himself that decision.

Anthony Stolarz played heavily in the absence of Woll for personal reasons, playing in 13 of Toronto's first 17 games before being injured against Boston.

Woll would then go on to play heavy minutes himself with Stolarz out, playing up to six consecutive games in a row before Woll too was injured. Dennis Hildeby was also a de facto starter for the Leafs without Stolarz and Woll.

Now with Woll back, the indication appears to be the likelihood of more of a balance between Hildeby and Woll, using them as a pair and not overworking the other.

Hildeby himself has earned the right to an equal opportunity, in 11 games for Toronto this season having a 2.60GAA and .923SV% despite a 2-3-3 record.

Working off of what was the case last year with Stolarz and Woll, Toronto is slowly returning to normal and not needing to overwork just one netminder anymore, at least for now.