The biggest factor that will ultimately decide the Maple Leafs' season

Goaltending is becoming a key area of discussion revolving around the success of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and if the Leafs can succeed without constant success in net.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, currently without their two starting netminders in Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, have gotten valuable relief from rookie Dennis Hildeby in the meantime.

Hildeby, 24, has a 2.15 GAA and a .936 SV% in nine games this season for the Leafs, in a short span having been one of the NHL's top performing goalies.

Once Stolarz and Woll return to the lineup, there may not be a spot for Hildeby that puts him back in the minors, but means that the play of Hildeby right now would need to continue without him.

A debate on TSN radio's 'First Up' discussed if the Leafs can win even if the goaltending isn't at it's best and not putting up dominating results.

As discussed, Toronto would need consistency from both of their netminders, and a save percentage of .900%+ to showcase the Leafs as having strong goaltending. Anything below would not be good enough to be a playoff team.

Joseph Woll has a promising .928 SV% on the season with a 2.44 GAA, while Anthony Stolarz on the flip side has a .884 SV% and a 3.51 GAA.

While Woll and Hildeby have answered in net, Anthony Stolarz is the big question mark, with the Leafs starter facing a public struggle to keeps puck out of the net and with a $3.75M extension ready to kick in next season.

With Anthony Stolarz currently injured, his return would have to see him being a more reliable goalie for Toronto, or it could raise some tough questions about his future.

A season removed from surprising most in the NHL with a league-leading .926 SV%, this hasn't been a repeat year for Stolarz with inconsistency and injury derailing him.

Dennis Hildeby could be the one that goes if the Leafs double down and trust in the tandem they've invested into, but it doesn't solve things if the Leafs goaltending isn't improving next season, Hildeby can't stay in the minors forever and is slowly pushing his way to an NHL spot.

Joseph Woll has been reliable as the backup, but could he or Stolarz be leveraged for another goalie option? Perhaps, but Stolarz at 31, to be 32 in January, with a lack of starting experience would not have as many options in a return as some may think.

However the Leafs evaluate their future, Anthony Stolarz struggling in net and no longer looking like the starter for Toronto will open a difficult decision for the team, and could spell his end before he gets a chance at redemption.