Maple Leafs map out goaltending plan for back-to-back after holiday break

A decision appears to be made on the Toronto Maple Leafs plans in net as the team returns to action following the holiday break.

The Toronto Maple Leafs plan is for Joseph Woll to get tonight's start in net against the Ottawa Senators, playing his second consecutive game.

But it is expected that current backup Dennis Hildeby will start in the Leafs' second game in the back-to-back tomorrow against the Detroit Red Wings.

A starter hasn't been announced, but the anticipation is that Hildeby will make the start against Detroit, rather than Woll playing both nights.

The move could see Hildeby move into a bigger role in the Leafs net as uncertainty regarding the status of Anthony Stolarz builds an opportunity for Hildeby to keep his place in net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear poised to give Joseph Woll some rest in net tomorrow and not play him twice in a row on consecutive days.

The move comes as a shift for Toronto, who haven't been afraid to play their starting netminders to a heavier workload, especially so given injuries complicating the Leafs health in net.

Woll played six consecutive starts for Toronto before being injured, a potential catalyst for the Leafs to go with more of a load management route instead of overplaying one netminder.

The emergence of the rookie Hildeby has also made it easier for the Leafs to balance more minutes between the two, with Hildeby having a respectable 2.87 GAA and .911 SV% in 13 games this season for Toronto.

Toronto appears poised to focus on giving equal playing time in net, something that will likely extend when Anthony Stolarz returns and Toronto can balance their goaltending tandem.

For now, the likelihood is of Dennis Hildeby having earned his way to a balanced approach in net, and competing for game time he's worked to earn more of this season.