Maple Leafs Avoid Major Concern, Instead Have Something to Celebrate

Matt Murray's latest performance for the Marlies is yet another example of how well the Maple Leafs are currently situated in between the pipes.

Heading into the 2024-25 regular season, there were a lot of question marks about their goaltending and whether or not it could withstand a full 82-game campaign with Joseph Woll's injury history and Anthony Stolarz's lack of experience.

There were also some questions being asked about the Toronto Marlies and how veteran Matt Murray would fit in with the organization given the number of goalie prospects in between the pipes who need to get work for developmental purposes.

As we near the end of March, the Maple Leafs' organizational goaltending depth has never looked any better and the cohesiveness at which they've all produced and played with is something to marvel.

With the Marlies looking to clinch a playoff berth in the coming weeks, they earned themselves a hard fought shootout victory over the Belleville Senators last night on the back of Murray's brilliant performance. The veteran stopped 36 of 37 shots and kept his nerve in the shootout.

On the season, he is 9-5-3 with a .934 SV% and a 1.70 GAA to go along with 3 shutouts in 19 games. He was forced to exit their game against Belleville last week due to injury, which left many concerned, but Murray was able to return in short order, avoiding the worst of it after the collision.

With just 19 games under the belt, his lack of playing time has a lot to do with prospects Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov getting more run. Hildeby is 14-8-2 with a .906 SV% and a 2.58 GAA, whereas Akhtyamov is 10-7-4 with a .903 SV% and a 2.78 GAA.

The duo represent the best the Leafs have to offer within the pipeline and they've played very well this season, all things considered. Despite a goaltending carousel, they've all done brilliantly when called up, including Murray whose numbers are sublime.

Hildeby and Murray have been given some run at the NHL-level this season due to injury but barring anything unforeseen, the duo should remain in the AHL for the foreseeable future as they look to propel the Marlies on a championship run of their own.

With Stolarz and Woll doing their thing in the NHL, the Maple Leafs might have one of the best goaltending situations league-wide from top to bottom and it's not even close.