Woll’s return ‘could be a huge spark’ for Leafs 

Leafs coach Craig Berube held a media availability at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday afternoon.

---

Joseph Woll is back with the Leafs.

“He was on the ice today,” coach Craig Berube confirmed ahead of Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres. “He’s excited to be back, and we’re excited, obviously, too.”

Woll had been away from the team on personal leave since Sept. 23. On Friday afternoon, the team announced that the 27-year-old from St. Louis “will resume team activities and on-ice participation as part of the return-to-play process.”

What’s the plan when it comes to getting Woll back up to speed?

“I’ll leave [general manager Brad Treliving to] talk about the plan with him,” Berube said.

The team has not revealed any details regarding Woll’s absence and has asked reporters to respect his privacy. As recently as Wednesday, Berube said he had no update on when Woll may return and did not know if he was skating while away from the team.

Woll led the Leafs with 41 starts last season.

“It’s going to be great to have him back,” captain Auston Matthews said following Friday’s loss in Buffalo. “Obviously, a big part of our team.”

Woll is on long-term injured reserve, which means the earliest he can play is Nov. 1.

With Woll absent, the Leafs have leaned on Anthony Stolarz early in the season. He’s started seven of the team’s first eight games.

“Just to get him back could be a huge spark,” Stolarz said of Woll. “Could give us a little energy. Just seeing his face around the room, it’s gonna be exciting for us.”

Stolarz played a career-high 34 games last season, but also missed time with a knee injury.

---

Stolarz has allowed 13 goals during a three-game winless skid (0-2-1). His save percentage has fallen to .885 on the year.

“It’s a lot for him,” Berube acknowledged. “We leaned on him heavy here and it’s a lot of games, a lot of hockey he’s played. I’m sure he’s tired a little bit.”

Stolarz allowed five goals on 30 shots in Friday’s loss in Buffalo.

“It just comes down to, you know, [Sabres goalie Alex Lyon] made one more big save than me at the end there,” Stolarz said.

Stolarz, who led the NHL with a .926 save percentage last season, had big ice packs taped to both knees while doing his post-game media session.

Cayden Primeau started Saturday’s game. He was picked up off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes on the eve of the regular season to provide the team with more depth. Primeau won his first start with the Leafs on Oct. 14 against Nashville, but looked shaky at times while allowing four goals on 30 shots.

The Leafs called up Dennis Hildeby from the AHL and the 24-year-old dressed as the back-up goalie on Saturday, which allowed Stolarz to enjoy a full day off.

---

After leaving Friday’s game early with an undisclosed issue, William Nylander took the ice for warm-up on Saturday, but was ultimately unable to play.

Nylander started Friday’s game on the top line beside Matthews and Bobby McMann.

“They looked really good,” Berube said. “They were quick, supporting each other really well, strong on pucks [with] a lot of O-zone time. A lot of good things from that line.”

Nylander scored in the first period.

“We were good,” Matthews said of his line. “We competed really hard, generated some good chances. Two easy guys to play with ... It was our first game together [and] I thought we had some good chemistry.”

With Nylander out, Nick Robertson became the fifth different right winger to start a game beside Matthews this season. Robertson was a healthy scratch on Friday.

Nylander leads the Leafs with 13 points. He’s only been held off the scoresheet in one of the eight games.

“He’s been an integral part of our team so far this year,” said Stolarz. “His numbers back that up.”

---

Defenceman Morgan Rielly returned to the Leafs’ lineup on Saturday after missing Friday’s game with an undisclosed injury picked up late in Tuesday’s game against New Jersey.

---

Dakota Joshua celebrated emphatically after scoring his first goal with the Leafs on Friday night.

“It means a lot,” the big winger said. “I guess more of a relief.”

Joshua only produced one assist in his first seven games of the season.

“You’re with a new team and you want to make an impact every night, and I haven’t had my best start to the season,” the 29-year-old from Michigan said. “So it’s just nice to get one.”

Joshua played 12 minutes and 36 seconds on Friday, which was his second-highest total of the season.

“His game’s gotten better and better,” Berube said. “The last two or three games, I think his game’s coming to what we expect of him. And that goal is a classic goal that he’s going to score.”

Berube liked the offensive-zone time the line of Joshua, with Nicolas Roy and Easton Cowan, was able to create.

“Trending in the right direction,” Joshua said of his game, “Obviously a long way to go, but yeah, just got to keep working.”

---

Leafs lines in warm-up before Saturday’s game:

McMann - Matthews - Nylander

Knies - Tavares - Maccelli

Joshua - Roy - Cowan

Lorentz - Domi - Robertson

McCabe - Carlo

Rielly - Ekman-Larsson

Benoit - Myers

Primeau starts

Hildeby