Maple Leafs Make Surprising Goaltending Change for Game 3 Against the Panthers

As Game 3 is set to take place in Sunrise, Florida, all eyes will be on the Maple Leafs and Panthers as they battle it out to either take a commanding lead (Toronto) or claw their way back in the series (Florida).

With Anthony Stolarz out, the Maple Leafs will have Joseph Woll, and it was presumed Matt Murray to back him up in case anything happened.

Well actually as it turns out, it's going to be Dennis Hildeby getting the call to backup Woll against Florida in Game 3.

It's unknown as to the reason why Craig Berube decided to go with the rookie Hildeby over the experienced and Cup winning Murray, but perhaps there's something in practice he saw that we aren't aware of.

It doesn't give Maple Leafs fans a lot of relief though, given that they would much prefer to have Murray in backup as opposed to the inexperienced Hildeby.

That just makes things even more difficult should the Maple Leafs get into trouble. Not only do they need to deal with some potentially impartial officiating but Florida's game plan of trying to whittle down their goaltenders needs to be shut down.

Hildeby can definitely hold his own, and does have playoff experience in the SHL when he played in Sweden; but with zero NHL experience there is a huge chance that Florida exploits that and walks away with a victory if it comes down to it.

He appeared in six games this season in his first year with the team, registering a 3-3-0 record with a 3.16 GAA and .878 SV%; he won his debut game but was shaky overall and didn't look too comfortable in an NHL net.

Game 3 is set to take place from the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida as the puck drops at 7PM ET.