Craig Berube offers optimstic update on Joseph Woll, Maple Leafs recall Akhtyamov

"Woll played the first 40 minutes of the Maple Leafs' most recent game against the Carolina Hurricanes but appeared to tweak something on a save near the end of the second period. He was seen flexing his left leg and ended up leaving the game with what the team called a lower-body injury. He had 22 saves on 23 shots when he left and was replaced by Dennis Hildeby, who stopped all nine shots he faced to help lock up a 5-1 win over the Hurricanes."

"If Woll indeed only misses a week, it will be a big break for a team that's already been dealt their fair share of bad beats. He missed the first month and a half of the season to deal with a personal issue and came back at a time when the Leafs' crease was in dire straits. In eight games since his return, he has a record of 4-3-1 with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.30 and a save percentage (SV%) of .928."

"An additional positive here is that Dennis Hildeby has been impressive in his limited showing at the NHL level this season, with a .919 SV% and a 2.86 GAA that outshines his 1-2-1 record. Akhtyamov, meanwhile, has had an up-and-down season with the Marlies, playing to a record of 7-5-1 with a GAA of 3.04 and a .896 SV%. He has yet to start an NHL game in his career, so it's entirely possible that he could make his debut soon, as the Leafs probably want to see what they have in house before they go searching for insurance via trade or waive"

Joseph Woll was placed on injured reserve retroactive to December 4 and Artur Akhtyamov was recalled from the Toronto Marlies as a depth option. Woll appeared to tweak his left leg late in the second period after making 22 saves on 23 shots and was replaced by Dennis Hildeby, who stopped nine shots in relief to secure a 5-1 win. Woll missed the season's first month and a half for a personal issue and has a 4-3-1 record, 2.30 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games since returning. Hildeby has posted a .919 SV% and 2.86 GAA in limited NHL action. Akhtyamov is 7-5-1 with a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% for the Marlies and has not yet started an NHL game, making a potential debut possible before the team pursues external insurance.

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