It'll be Sergei Bobrovsky between the pipes on Tuesday for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Despite recent struggles, the prized free-agent addition will start against the Utah Mammoth, head coach Jim Hiller told reporters on Monday.
Bobrovsky allowed five goals in his most recent start Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, including the game-winner in the final minute on a shot from the point.
On the season, the Russian has a 3-5-2 record with an .885 save percentage and 3.29 goals-against average. He signed a three-year, $21-million deal with Toronto in the off-season.
“He does everything possible to give himself the chance to be set up perfectly for the game," Hiller said of Bobrovsky’s routine. "I've never seen anything like it and it's so impressive to watch”
Backup Anthony Stolarz started Saturday's 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, continuing a solid run of play that had some questioning whether he might take over the No. 1 gig. Stolarz owns a .910 save percentage and 2.66 GAA over six starts on the season.
Stolarz said he has nothing but confidence in his goaltending partner.
"Just one hell of a goalie, the way he works day in and day out," Stolarz said of Bobrovsky Monday. "The proof’s in the pudding and you know he’ll get back on track here and be coming up big for us coming forward”
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs mixed up their forward lines at practice, bumping Easton Cowan to the top line alongside Auston Matthews and Jack Roslovic while Gavin McKenna moved to the third line with Colton Sissons and Vinni Lettieri, per David Alter of The Hockey News.
Dakota Joshua, who made his season debut against the Canucks, skated on the second line with William Nylander and Nick Paul.
Injured centre John Tavares skated on his own but did not participate in practice.
