The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the final stretch before the Olympic break with a critical two-game swing through Alberta, starting Monday night against the Calgary Flames. After snapping a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks, the Leafs are hoping to build some momentum-and they’ll once again turn to Joseph Woll between the pipes to help make that happen.
Woll, who has had his ups and downs recently, is getting the nod for a second straight start. It’s a clear sign of trust from head coach Craig Berube, and a chance for the 25-year-old netminder to reassert himself as a steady presence in goal.
On Saturday, he turned aside 28 of 30 shots, including a few highlight-reel stops in overtime that gave his team the chance to pull out the win in the shootout. It wasn’t just a solid outing-it was a performance that reminded Leafs fans what Woll is capable of when he’s locked in.
But it’s not all good news for Toronto. Morgan Rielly, the team’s longest-tenured player and a key piece on the back end, will be sidelined through the Olympic break after aggravating an upper-body injury during Saturday’s game. Rielly has been a steady contributor this season, with 31 points in 54 games, and his absence leaves a noticeable hole on the blue line-both in terms of production and leadership.
With Rielly out, the Leafs are once again shuffling their defensive pairings. Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers were skating together as the bottom pair in practice, suggesting they’ll draw back into the lineup after sitting out the Vancouver game.
Marshall Rifai, who made his season debut on Saturday, struggled a bit in his first NHL action since the 2023-24 season. That’s not unexpected-rust is real-but with the stakes rising, Berube appears to be leaning on experience over potential as he tries to stabilize the back end.
This road trip isn’t just about picking up points-it’s about salvaging a season that’s teetering on the edge. That rough stretch in late January didn’t just hurt in the standings; it shook the team’s confidence.
The Leafs aren’t out of the playoff picture, but they’re in a spot where every game starts to feel like a must-win. There’s no panic yet, but the urgency is real.
A win in Calgary would go a long way-not just in the standings, but in the room. It’s about heading into the Olympic break with belief, with momentum, and with something to build on when the season resumes. And for Woll, it's another chance to prove he can be the guy when the Leafs need him most.