Joseph Woll Injury Throws Maple Leafs’ Goaltending Into Crisis: What’s Next for Toronto?

Joseph Woll’s Injury: Sudden, Unsettling, and Shrouded in Mystery

It was supposed to be a night of celebration for the Toronto Maple Leafs. In Raleigh, the team clinched its third straight regulation win—a rare bright spot in a season battered by injuries and uncertainty. But as the players filed off the ice following a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes, one figure was conspicuously absent from the postgame high-fives: Joseph Woll, the goaltender whose stellar play had anchored the Leafs through a turbulent stretch.

Woll, 27, had just delivered another standout performance, outdueling former Leaf Frederik Andersen and maintaining a .927 save percentage over eight games since his mid-November return. Yet, late in the second period, Woll stretched out his right pad for a crucial save and immediately began shaking his left leg—a subtle but ominous sign. He finished the period but did not return for the third, yielding the net to Dennis Hildeby. After the game, Woll was seen walking without crutches, but the air around the Leafs was thick with unease.

Coach Craig Berube could offer no clarity. “Right now, I can’t give you that answer,” he told TSN, referencing Woll’s timeline. The Leafs’ policy of injury disclosure is famously vague; what exactly happened to Woll, and how long he’ll be out, remains a mystery.

Goaltending Depth Stretched to Breaking Point

The timing couldn’t be worse. Toronto’s other top goalie, Anthony Stolarz, has been out since November 11 with an undisclosed upper-body injury, and has not skated or shown any real improvement, according to Berube. The Leafs haven’t had both Woll and Stolarz available in the same game all season. The closest they came was Woll’s return on November 15, just days after Stolarz went down in Boston under similarly mysterious circumstances.

As a result, the Leafs have leaned heavily on whoever was available. Stolarz was overworked early on, playing through the busiest stretch of his career until his own injury struck. When Woll returned, he was thrust into the same punishing workload: eight starts in nine games, including five of six on the recent road trip. The team’s desperate push to climb the Eastern Conference standings left little room for caution. “He’s kind of been the backbone of our team for this road trip, carrying us through it all,” said Matthew Knies, echoing the sentiments of a squad that relies on Woll’s calm presence and technical skill.

But the cracks were showing. Woll’s history of injuries—soft tissue, groin tightness, and now this lower-body setback—has always made him a risky bet for heavy minutes. The Leafs knew this, but felt they had no alternative. “It’s obviously in the back of my mind for sure,” Berube admitted when asked about managing Woll’s load just weeks ago.

Dennis Hildeby: From Prospect to Pressure Cooker

Enter Dennis Hildeby, the 6-foot-7 Swedish rookie who was supposed to be developing his game in the AHL this season. Instead, he’s now the Leafs’ de facto No. 1, set to start Saturday against Montreal—a team just ahead of Toronto for the final playoff spot. Hildeby has made more relief appearances (four) than starts (three), but he’s posted a solid .917 save percentage and exudes a “quiet confidence,” as captain Auston Matthews put it.

“Beast came in and was unbelievable for us,” Matthews added after Hildeby stopped all nine shots he faced in the third period against Carolina. Even Knies, who practices against Hildeby regularly, noted, “It’s almost impossible to score with how big he is. So, I’m pretty confident that opposing teams are going to have the same trouble.”

Hildeby himself is measured about the challenge ahead: “You always got to be ready. Just do the best you can and just enjoy the moment, if that’s the case.” Behind him stands Artur Akhtyamov, another rookie with zero NHL experience but decent numbers in the AHL.

A Team on the Edge: Playoff Implications and Lingering Doubts

Toronto’s fate now rests on the shoulders of a rookie tandem. The stakes are clear: every point matters in a crowded Eastern Conference, and the Leafs are teetering on the edge of playoff contention. The goaltending crisis amplifies pressure on a defense already ravaged by injuries and prone to giving up high-danger chances. For coach Berube, the situation is simple but stark: “This stuff happens. We just handle it.”

But for fans and players alike, the uncertainty gnaws. Will Woll’s absence be short-lived, or is this the latest chapter in a season-long saga of bad luck in the crease? Will Stolarz return at all in 2025? Can Hildeby rise to the occasion, or will the Leafs need to consider outside reinforcements as the trade deadline approaches?

There are flashes of hope. The team has shown resilience, rallying behind whoever steps into the net. Veteran leaders like Matthews and Knies are quick to praise the “backbone” their goalies have provided. But as the Maple Leafs prepare for a crucial stretch, the margin for error is vanishingly thin.

For now, Toronto waits. The next skate is scheduled for Saturday morning at Scotiabank Arena, but until the team receives a diagnosis on Woll, the mood is one of anxious anticipation. The only certainty is that the Leafs’ season—already a rollercoaster—has taken another sharp turn.

Assessment: The Leafs’ goaltending crisis reveals the fragility at the heart of their playoff ambitions. With Woll and Stolarz sidelined, Toronto must depend on rookies Hildeby and Akhtyamov—a gamble that could make or break the season. The team’s ability to adapt quickly and maintain confidence will be the true test of their resilience as the pressure mounts.