Maple Leafs News & Rumors: OEL, Matthews, Hildeby, Murray and Stolarz – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders this afternoon as they aim to bounce back from a 5-2 loss to the Washington Capitals. The Maple Leafs have been without Auston Matthews (upper-body injury) for four straight games, and head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Matthews will not play in Tuesday's game despite participating in Monday's practice.

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The Islanders are eager to regain some stability after losing 3-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They aim to replicate their 6-3 win in Toronto on December 21, with Anders Lee and Bo Horvat expected to lead the charge offensively. Tuesday's game is the first at home as the Maple Leafs travel to New York for Thursday's rematch.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson's status for Tuesday's game against the Islanders remains uncertain as he is still dealing with an ailment that kept him out of Monday's practice. The veteran defender has been a steady part of Toronto's blueline this season. While he's no longer the offensive blueliner he once was, he has scored one goal and dished out 12 assists (13 points). He also had 34 blocks and 52 hits in 37 games. His two-way play and ability to move the puck will be crucial for the Maple Leafs as they seek to maintain defensive stability in Matthews' absence. If Ekman-Larsson can't adapt, this could be a big loss for the Maple Leafs.

If Ekman-Larsson misses the game, Philip Myers will likely step into the starting lineup. While Myers provides size and physicality, the Leafs must adjust to Ekman-Larsson's lack of experience and poise. This potential roster change presents another challenge for an already injury-plagued Toronto team as they look to open a season series against the Islanders.

Item 2: Auston Matthews out of Tuesday’s game

Matthews will miss his fifth straight game as he recovers from an upper-body injury suffered on Dec. 20 against the Buffalo Sabers. Although Matthews participated in Monday's practice, coach Berube confirmed that the star center will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Islanders. Matthews has been gradually increasing his on-ice activity, a sign that his recovery is making progress. His next chance to return will come in Thursday's rematch against the Islanders.

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The Maple Leafs have felt Matthews' absence over the past four games as his offensive production and defensive performance have been key to their success. With Matthews sidelined, John Tavares' role becomes increasingly important. In addition, William Nylander and Mitch Marner took on more scoring duties. Matthews' potential return later this week could significantly strengthen their roster as the team navigates this challenging period.

Item 3: Maple Leafs shuffle goaltenders: Hilderby recalled, Murray sent off

The Maple Leafs made a major move to their goaltender roster on Monday. The team recalled Dennis Hilderby from the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies. In a corresponding move, they reassigned Matt Murray to the Marlies. Hilderby, 23, has shown some promise in three NHL games this season. While he had two wins, he also looked tight at the crease and stopped just 77 of 88 shots.

With Antoni Stolarz sidelined with a knee injury, Hilderby is expected to remain at the big club and could feature in key games ahead. Maybe he'll get another shot on Saturday against the Boston Bruins or Sunday against the Philadelphia Flyers. This is a rare back-to-back home game.

At the same time, Murray's transfer also shows the fluctuation of his status this season. He had a record of 1 win, 1 draw and 0 losses in two NHL starts, conceding 7 goals on 58 shots. His move to the AHL allows the Maple Leafs to manage his waiver wire while evaluating their own goaltending needs. With Joseph Wall currently in the starting lineup, Hilderby provides the team with an opportunity to further evaluate its depth in net during a critical period of the season.

What’s next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs' goaltending situation has been a roller coaster ride in recent weeks, with Wall emerging as the obvious starter in Stolarz's absence. The backup role remains uncertain, underscoring how much the team misses Stolarz's consistent presence in front of the net. Prior to his injury in mid-December, Stolarz was not only the Maple Leafs' best goaltender, but also one of the NHL's best, trailing only elite goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck in key statistics.

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Maple Leafs fans are hoping Stolarz is back in peak form and ready to make an impact again. When Wall and Stolarz are healthy, their tandem provides a reliable anchor for the team's playoff aspirations. However, keeping both goalies healthy at the same time is a challenge.

The Maple Leafs will need a solid defense to successfully handle a difficult second half of the season. Wall will shoulder the burden of the team waiting for Stolarz to return.