The Maple Leafs sent Matt Murray back to the minors today, just hours before their game against Seattle.
It’s been a tough stretch for Toronto’s goalies lately. They’ve been trying to patch things together since Anthony Stolarz got hurt, but something’s clearly been off.
Joseph Woll has been carrying a massive workload – he’s started more games than almost any other goalie in the NHL during this stretch. Only Connor Hellebuyck of the Jets has been busier between the pipes.
The backup situation hasn’t helped much. Both Matt Murray and Dennis Hildeby struggled when they got their chances while Stolarz was out.
Murray actually seemed to find his groove last month with the Toronto Marlies. The 29-year-old veteran put together an impressive run in the AHL, winning four straight games including two shutouts. That hot streak earned him another shot with the big club.
But here’s the thing – Murray never even got into a game during his latest NHL stint. Now he’s heading back to the Marlies, where he’ll try to keep that momentum going.
For Murray, who’s from Thunder Bay, Ontario, it’s another setback in what’s been a roller coaster season.
