Maple Leafs Recall Another Rookie Goaltender, Increasing Concerns Over the Health of Anthony Stolarz

The 8-8-1 Maple Leafs are back in action on Thursday evening, looking to snap a 3-game losing skid against the Los Angeles Kings, and a new report has them in an unenviable position in the crease.

Following an injury to Anthony Stolarz on Tuesday, the Leafs were forced to one again turn to Dennis Hildeby in relief, after Stolarz was forced out of a 5-3 loss to Boston with an unspecified upper-body ailment.

With Joseph Woll still going through the motions of his conditioning stint with the Marlies following a lengthy layoff due to a leave of absence from the team, Hildeby will once again be in goal on Thursday, and with Stolarz injured, he'll have a very inexperienced backup behind him.

Per the Maple Leafs' official PR team, the team has recalled rookie goaltender Artur Akhtyamov from the Marlies, placing the injured Scott Laughton on injured reserve to open up a roster spot.

Thus far this season, Akhtyamov has tasted action in 6 AHL games with the Marlies, going 4-2-0 with a 2.82 GAA and a .894 SV%. Not exactly numbers that inspire a lot of confidence.

Though Akhtyamov is not likely to make his NHL debut on this recall, the potential to have him thrust into an NHL game before he's ready, especially amid a very rough stretch of games for the Maple Leafs, must have him feeling the pressure -- even if excitement is his immediate default.

For the Leafs, they remain hopeful that Joseph Woll will be ready to go sooner than later, and that Stolarz won't be sidelined long-term. Thankfully, in the meantime, Hildeby's .909 SV%, if he can maintain it, should provide the Leafs with enough support in the crease to help them snap their losing skid and get back into the win column.