BURSTBUFFALO, N.Y. – The Murr Dawg is off the leash.
That’s right.
After 628 days of rehab, recovery, and refining, Matt Murray has finally returned to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ crease.
The 30-year-old goaltender was recalled Friday morning ahead of the Leafs’ game against the spiraling Buffalo Sabres. The team later announced he’ll start Friday night’s contest
Prospect Dennis Hildeby, 23, who was busy stretching in the bowels of KeyBank Center when the transaction was made, will return to the AHL Marlies.
Murray’s long-awaited NHL return comes on the heels of Wednesday’s shutout performance in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., over the junior Penguins.
“That’s encouraging. That’s great for him and the Marlies,” Leafs coach Craig Berube had said Wednesday night in Dallas.
“This guy’s got a lot of experience, and he’s won. So, we’re gonna look at everything and make some decisions.”
Murray’s hardworking return from bilateral hip surgery — a major procedure that essentially robbed him of the full 2023-24 season — has paid off with some impressive performances down on the farm.
The two-time Stanley Cup winner is 4-1-2 this season, with a sparkling 1.85 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.
Understandably, the Maple Leafs would prefer to keep the developing Hildeby (2-1-0, .875) — and fellow prospect Artur Akhtyamov, for that matter — busy in the minors as they continue to battle for an Atlantic Division crown without the services of Anthony Stolarz (knee) for four to six weeks.
With a healthy and festive contingent of Leafs fans making the drive westbound on the QEW, Murray and the Leafs will attempt to extend the Sabres’ disastrous winless streak to 12 games.
The good news for Buffalo is that its captain and best defenceman, Rasmus Dahlin, will return to action for the first time since Dec. 3.
Former Leafs forward Sam Lafferty (lower body) is likely to play as well, while Ryan McLeod (undisclosed) is a game-time decision for the Sabres.
