Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said goaltender Joseph Woll has not skated since suffering a lower-body injury before the start of the season on Wednesday.
Berube added that there is no timetable for Woll’s return to play and that his health is being re-evaluated daily.
With Woll on the injured list, Berube was forced to use No. 2 Anthony Stolarz (who lost the season opener to the Montreal Canadiens) and No. 3 Dennis Hildeby (who beat the New York Devils). Jersey Thursday) since the start of the season.
Stolarz should be the starter tonight in Toronto against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Woll, who signed a three-year, $11 million extension this offseason, has had recurring injury problems since the start of his young career.
The 26-year-old goalkeeper only appeared in 25 games last season after suffering a sprained ankle in early December. He also appeared in three playoff games, winning two, before suffering an injury that kept him out in Game 7 of the Leafs’ first-round series loss to the Boston Bruins.
The Maple Leafs drafted Woll in the third round in 2016. He has a 2.76 goals-against average in 36 NHL games.
Tavares ill
Furthermore, Leafs forward John Tavares did not participate in his team’s morning skate on Saturday because he is ill.
However, there is “a possibility” that he will be in uniform this evening, Berube suggested.
The 34-year-old veteran played in the Leafs’ first two games this season, scoring a goal Thursday against the Devils.
Tkachuk will miss Saturday’s game
Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk will not be in the lineup for their game against the Buffalo Sabers on Saturday because he is dealing with an illness.
Head coach Paul Maurice made the announcement earlier Saturday.
Tkachuk has two assists in two games this season.
Spencer Knight is expected to start in net against the Sabres.
Blomquist gets another start
Joel Blomquist is expected to start in net for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Maple Leafs on Saturday.
The 22-year-old goaltender earned the first start of his career in the Penguins’ 6-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Bryan Rust skated with Sidney Crosby’s trio on Saturday morning and should make his debut with Pittsburgh against Toronto.
The 11th-year veteran won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins during his career.
