Leafs hoping former goaltender gets start tomorrow night in Toronto; opposing coach seems hesitant to give Campbell the nod

As the Leafs get set for their second matchup against the Edmonton Oilers in the last ten days, a pair of Leafs players are hoping for the opportunity to play against former teammate Jack Campbell tomorrow night.

Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews spoke with the media ahead of their matchup with the Oilers Saturday and noted that they want to see Campbell in the crease. Perhaps the reason is they have learned his weaknesses over the last three seasons or because Campbell just hasn't been all that good this season after signing a 5-year, $25M deal last offseason with the Oilers. Since leaving, Campbell has yet to take the crease in a game against the Leafs.

"It would be fun to go against him. Obviously, he's a competitor and definitely a game I'm sure he would be up for. Gotta be ready to try and put the puck in the net" Matthews stated.


Despite having a 17-9-4 record this season, Campbell has a 3.57 GAA, a .882 SV%, and has already allowed 106 goals this season. Not the start he and the Oilers were hoping for in the first year of his first big NHL contract. When comparing his stats to his last season with the Leafs, there is a severe drop-off. In 49 starts last season, Campbell had a record of 31-9-6, a 2.64 GAA, and a .914 SV%. Since putting on the blue and orange, he has seemed to have lost his confidence and footing in the net, which Leaf fans have seen through his up-and-down play in a Leafs uniform.

On the other hand, Stuart Skinner has been the Oilers go-to guy for the majority of the season, especially against the playoff-contending teams. Skinner has started 38 games with a record of 19-13-4, a 2.83 GAA, and a SV% of 0.913. Skinner had 28 saves in a 5-2 Oilers win over the Leafs just under a week ago. Unfortunately for Marner and Matthews, it looks like their matchup against Campbell will likely have to wait. Skinner (understandably) looks to be the projected starter tomorrow night at Scotiabank Arena.

Credit: hockeydb.com - Jack Campbell, hockeydb.com - Stuart Skinner