Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube expects goaltender Joseph Woll to miss one week with a lower-body injury. Woll was placed on injured reserve retroactive to December 4 on Saturday morning, and the team recalled Artur Akhtyamov from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.
Craig Berube on Joseph Woll: “He’ll be a week hopefully. We’re not expecting it to be too long.”
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) December 6, 2025
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Dennis Hildeby will start Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens. Hildeby has posted a 1-2-1 record in seven appearances with a .919 save percentage. He will operate as the team’s starting goaltender, until Woll or Anthony Stolarz returns to the team from injury.
“Dennis has played well for us, came in the other night and did a good job. So we have confidence in Dennis, in general,” Berube said Saturday morning.
Chris Tanev and Marshall Rifai both skated in red non-contact jerseys during Saturday’s morning skate. Tanev and Rifai both took reps alongside Dakota Mermis during line rushes and 5-on-5 drills. Berube said that Tanev will be evaluated this week, with some optimism that he can return to the team this month.
“It was great to see both of them out there. Tanev will get looked at this week. hopefully it’s good news and he can get more involved here.”
Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Easton Cowan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson formed the first power play group. Matthew Knies, Max Domi, Nick Robertson, Nicolas Roy and Morgan Rielly were placed on the second unit. Toronto desperately needs to kick start its dormant power play, connecting at a 10-for-67 clip thus far.
Matias Maccelli and Calle Jarnkrok are among the healthy scratches Saturday.
Morgan Rielly will be playing in his 900th NHL game on Saturday, and took some time to reflect upon the accomplishment.
“It’s just one of those things, I’ve been lucky to be here for as long as I have,” Rielly, the longest-tenured member of the Leafs, said.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Canadiens
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Max Domi
Easton Cowan-John Tavares-William Nylander
Dakota Joshua-Nicolas Roy-Bobby McMann
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Nick Robertson
Morgan Rielly-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Jake McCabe-Troy Stecher
Simon Benoit-Philippe Myers
Dennis Hildeby (projected starter)
Artur Akhtyamov