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A forgettable game against the Washington Capitals will influence a night to remember for some new Maple Leafs on Long Island.
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Russian goaltender Artur Akhtyamov, whose only NHL action came in a relief role in a Leafs game on Dec. 13, could be called upon after Anthony Stolarz suffered a serious-looking lower body injury on Wednesday in Toronto’s 4-0 loss to the Capitals.
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One, and possibly two, other Toronto Marlies could make their NHL debuts on Thursday against the Islanders. Also coming up for the game is forward Luke Haymes, a pre-planned switch after Bo Groulx ran out of NHL rope Wednesday, needing to check back in to the AHL to avoid being lost on waivers. Defenceman William Villeneuve, who had joined Haymes at Leafs practice this week, is on the New York flight as well.
He and Haymes went back down Wednesday morning to help the Marlies beat Utica and clinch a playoff spot. In addition to the injury to Stolarz, who needed to be helped off the ice less than three minutes into the game when something popped on a left pad save. Defenceman Brandon Carlo (lower body) did not return for the third period with winger Dakota Joshua (upper body) also leaving early.
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The Leafs have a spare defenceman in Troy Stecher they can use Thursday, but are minus forwards Joshua and Groulx, with only Michael Pezzetta in reserve.
“I’m excited to see these guys,” Berube said of the Marlies. “Haymes was coming up anyway and I wanted to see (Akhtyamov). He backed up a couple of times this year (getting in 11 minutes) and played well down there (20-12-4 with a .903 AHL save percentage).
“He’s got a great personality and he’s competitive as hell.”
‘Double A’ as he is nicknamed, would be the third Leafs-drafted goalie to play this year with Woll and current Marlie Dennis Hildeby.
GO TIME FOR JOE
If Stolarz is done (Berube could not confirm that until medical imaging on Thursday), it could be Woll in the final three games after the Islanders. Stolarz and Hildeby stood in for Woll when he missed the first month of the season for personal reasons.
Coming in cold Wednesday, Woll made 14 saves, but the playoff-desperate Caps were too much for the eliminated Leafs. Woll has given up 10 goals the past two games. But Stolarz’s condition was Woll’s main concern.
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“He’s a tough dude. When he went down, it didn’t look great, so the first thing is you’re worried for him. Then it’s get ready to go.”
It was the second time since March 21 in Ottawa that Woll was unexpectedly summoned at the start of a game. William Nylander struck Stolarz in the throat with a warm-up puck before a game the Leafs lost 5-2.
“It’s a little better that (he enters) earlier in a game, but in any case, it’s not ideal,” Woll added.
NOISE FROM THE BACK
The Leafs defence has come in for its share of deserved criticism in its own end, but at least has tried to make something happen offensively.
They totaled seven of the Leafs’ 20 shots in Wednesday’s low-event game, with 10 attempts. But none of them are named Salming or Kaberle, and they don’t have the hands to finish off forwards’ passes or score solo off the rush.
“We try to help our forwards if we can jump in,” said Simon Benoit, yet to score in 69 games despite some great chances. “Every team does it and we need to be contributing as well.”
With Auston Matthews out and Bobby McMann among others traded, the forwards need the help.
“We always talk about them getting up in the play and creating,” Berube said. “I thought they did a good job tonight. It’s a huge part of the game today.”
Lhornby@postmedia.com
X: @sunhornby
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