Maple Leafs impressed by Dennis Hildeby’s confidence in crease

Dennis Hildeby is currently the Toronto Maple Leafs’ No. 1 goaltender, and the team is extremely confident he’s more than capable of getting the job done.

Despite losing in a shootout on Saturday night to the Montreal Canadiens, Hildeby was the story everyone was talking about after. A 33-save performance gave the Maple Leafs every opportunity to stay in the game. This was after he came in Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes in relief after Joseph Woll sustained a lower-body injury. Day by day, Hildeby’s confidence is growing, and the same can be said about the rest of the team in front of him.

“Dennis kept us in that game, for the most part. He gave us a chance to get points out of it. He played unbelievable,” Leafs defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson said after Saturday’s game.

Hildeby has appeared in eight games this season, and has posted a very impressive .927 save percentage. For a towering netminder, he’s very athletic and loves to battle, but it may be his ability to stay in the moment and be poised that stands out.

“Yeah, I think I said it after the last game, he was really good, last year he was really good when he got the chance to come in and play,” Ekman-Larsson said. “This year it seems like he’s taken it to the next level with the confidence and the poise. And, I really like how he handles himself, off and on the ice.”

Ekman-Larsson isn’t the only one singing Hildeby’s praise after his latest performance. Nicolas Roy joined the Leafs over the summer, and while he was expecting either Stolarz or Woll to be leading the team, he’s noticed Hildeby trying to make a name for himself with his latest run.

“Every game he’s been in, we have a chance. He’s making big saves, and we’re always in the game,” Roy said. “I just wish we found one more and found a way to get this one for him tonight.”

Hildeby is likely going to get the start against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, and without a back-to-back coming over the next few weeks, there’s a chance he sees the majority of the action. Scott Laughton isn’t concerned one bit if that’s the case.

“Kept us in it, huge saves, huge saves in overtime. Solid. He’s been solid from camp, right from day one he’s been good, every game I’ve seen him. We’re going to need that going forward here. It’s good to see. He’s a great kid, and he deserves it.”

Hildeby will make his ninth appearance of the season on Monday, and despite the lack of NHL experience, it’s become quite obvious, the Maple Leafs are a very confident bunch in front of him.