That’s the question, as the team has relied upon… checks notes… Dennis Hildeby between the pipes to win four of their last six games, and get points in their two losses.

The record? Almost identical to the Edmonton Oilers at this moment, with a 14-11-5 season approaching Christmas. Maybe the Oilers can look to the Leafs for goaltending inspiration as they expect Tristan Jarry to start.

Toronto has dug itself out of the cellar, and Hildeby is rocking a .958 save percentage and a shutout in his last three starts to keep the Buds afloat.

Injuries

The injury bug is biting.

The former fourth-round pick in 2022, Hildeby has yet to surpass 100 professional games in North America, but he’s been thrust into the role after Anthony Stolarz is expected to be out long-term and Joseph Woll is hurt again.

Defencemen Brandon Carlo, Chris Tanev, and Dakota Mermis have been on the shelf for weeks, and another blueliner in Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Thursday’s game against the San Jose Sharks.

OEL projects to be a Saturday decision, said head coach Craig Berube, but Carlo and Tanev could be out for months yet. Meanwhile in the bottom-six, Scott Laughton didn’t start his season till November. He’s slowly coming on.

Auston Matthews missed time in November but has returned. Glimmers of the older, goal-scoring machine are starting to twinkle, with three goals in his last four games.

Our boy Troy

Troy Stecher has seized the opportunity since being picked up on waivers. He has played no fewer than 22:12 in the past six games, and has 1-3–4 in his 11 appearances in Toronto.

Stecher made headlines when he said, “I just left the fire,” in response to a question about pressure in Toronto.

I think I speak for OilersNation when I say that fans are rooting for Stecher. He endears himself to a fanbase with the honest way he plays the game.

Nov 29, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Troy Stecher (28) takes the ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Marner’s absence

Something has looked to be missed from this Leafs lineup this year…is it too easy to say Mitch Marner?

Toronto finished last season with the fourth highest goal share in the league at 5-on-5 at 55.4 per cent, according to Moneypuck. That has dipped to 9th. The expected goal share 5-on-5 has fallen from 16th to 25th. Their Corsi percentage was already bottom-5 a year ago, but fell even lower from 29th to 30th.

What about the powerplay? It’s putrid right now at 14.5 per cent, almost ten per cent worse. Only the Los Angeles Kings have a worse power play.

Marner provided 33 points on the power play alone a year ago, 11th best in the NHL. That has been a big hole to fill in the Leafs offence.

Oilers matchup

Toronto succumbed 3-2 to the Sharks in overtime on home ice on Thursday. This will be the fourth game of the Leafs five-game homestand, before a four-game road trip to wind into Christmas.

If it wasn’t for their home ice efforts, they could very well sit last in the east. With that said, they only have a three point cushion.

The Leafs home record of 9-4-5 displays the fewest regulation losses at home in the Eastern Conference. They are collecting points at Scotiabank Arena.

Berube spoke about the Oilers during his media avail on Friday:

“They’re always a challenge with Draisaitl and Mcdavid and what they’re capable of doing obviously. Hyman is back. It’s a good team over there,” he said.
“Their powerplay is dangerous, we know that. We got to check those guys. We can’t give those guys time and space and limit their speed and opportunities.”

Notes:

Bobby McMann is able to return after a one-game suspension after high-sticking Oliver Bjorkstand against the Tampa Bay Lightning this week.
McMann continues to elevate his game. The undrafted product out of Wainwright, Alberta had a career high 34 points last season. This year, he’s on pace to break it, scoring 8-6–14 in 29 games.
Willy Styles aka Nylander leads the Leafs in scoring with 11-23–34. That’s 19th best in the NHL. He was dropped to the third line during the Sharks game, amidst a four-game pointless slump, but collected two assists.
John Tavares took a paycut to stay with his hometown team, and the move is working for both sides. His 13 goals are tied for first on the club. It’s easy to forget that he scored 38 a season ago, his second highest total of his career.
Embolden by a big raise in the off-season, Matthew Knies looks like the real deal. He’s hard to play against and is cruising into tonight’s game just above a point-per-game.
Rookie Easton Cowan has stuck with the big club this year and has gone through his ups and down. But nine points in 22 games is a starting point.
Matias Maccelli and the Leafs just haven’t fit. After spending a 3rd round pick to acquire him from Utah in the off-season, he can’t stay out of the pressbox. Elliotte Friedman suggested he may be traded. Maccelli had 58 points two seasons ago, but his numbers cratered hard in 24-25.
All the eyeballs will be on this game as it’s the primetime Hockey Night in Canada offering. And overall, these matchups have not gone Edmonton’s way.
The Oil have won just three of the last 10 vs the Leafs, and lost four in a row in Toronto. Their last win in Toronto was March 29, 2021.