The Toronto Maple Leafs got a welcome sight at morning skate Friday with Anthony Stolarz preparing in the home net.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed to reporters that Stolarz will get the start against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Maple Leafs later announced that goaltender Dennis Hildeby was sent to the AHL in a corresponding move.
The 32-year-old was assigned to the AHL Marlies on a conditioning loan on Tuesday, but did not suit up for a game.
Stolarz has been sidelined since Nov. 11 with an upper-body injury, spending the past 33 games on injured reserve.
The goaltender revealed that he was dealing with a nerve issue. Before the injury, Stolarz struggled to an .884 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average through 13 games.
Mitch Marner returns to Toronto on Sportsnet
Mitch Marner and the Golden Knights visit Toronto for the first time since Marner's move to Vegas. You can watch the game Friday on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT.
Broadcast schedule
Another positive development was that Oliver Ekman-Larsson was a full participant at morning skate and is expected to be a game-time decision against Vegas.
Ekman-Larsson exited Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings with a lower-body injury. The team also recalled defenceman Henry Thrun from the Marlies.
The 34-year-old has been one of the Leafs' most consistent blue-liners this season with eight goals and 23 assists in 49 games.
You can watch the Leafs take on Mitch Marner as he makes his Toronto return on Friday night (7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+).
