Woll’s Return Brings Calm as Maple Leafs Face Blackhawks in Toronto
When the Toronto Maple Leafs took the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks at Scotiabank Arena, the spotlight wasn’t just on the matchup itself, but on who was standing in the crease. Joseph Woll was back between the pipes, and for Toronto, that alone felt like a steadying presence. After missing four games with a lower-body injury, Woll was given the start, and his return was seen as a quiet boost for a team searching for consistency.
Woll’s season numbers already tell a reassuring story. Coming into the game, he was 4-3-1 with a 2.44 goals-against average and an impressive .928 save percentage in eight appearances. While Toronto’s recent struggles haven’t been pinned entirely on goaltending, it was clear that having Woll back was expected to settle things down. A sense of confidence was felt around the bench, and that matters when a team has dropped three of its last four games.
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On the blue line, there was cautious optimism surrounding Chris Tanev. For the first time since he was taken off the ice on a stretcher earlier this season, he returned to practice and completed a full session. Although he did not suit up against Chicago, his presence at practice was viewed as a positive step forward. Tanev’s season has already been disrupted by injuries, including a concussion, and his situation continues to be handled day by day. Still, the fact that he felt good enough to practice was taken as encouraging news.
On the other side, the Blackhawks had their own storyline heading into the game. Young defenseman Artyom Levshunov, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, was made a healthy scratch. The decision came after he was late to practice, and it was made clear by head coach Jeff Blashill that standards matter, regardless of draft status. Levshunov has shown promise this season, putting up 14 points in 31 games, but a message was sent that accountability comes first. He was replaced in the lineup by Ethan Del Mastro, who was recalled from the AHL.
Beyond the immediate matchup, the game also fit into a larger league-wide picture filled with injuries, returns, and roster shuffling. Across the NHL, players are slowly working their way back, while others are being sidelined at critical moments. For Toronto and Chicago, though, the focus remained on the night itself.
For the Maple Leafs, Woll’s return wasn’t just about stopping pucks. It was about restoring rhythm and belief. Against a rebuilding Blackhawks team, this game was seen as a chance to reset, steady the ship, and build forward momentum with a familiar face back in goal.
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