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The Toronto Maple Leafs practiced at the Ford Performance Centre in Etobicoke, ON on Friday in advance of their next home game against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, and once again Joseph Woll participated, which is a promising sign for the club’s projected starter who was placed on injured reserve last week.
Initial reports indicated that Woll had suffered a recurrence of the back issues that kept him out of Game 7 of the first round against Boston in April, but the goalie clarified that it was a groin injury that kept him from starting against Montreal in the season opener.
“It was a little bit of groin tightness, and I’m feeling better now, so I’m focused on coming back and helping this team.” Woll said. “Anytime you get injured, whether it is a very big injury or very small, there is that kind of initial emotion, a little bit of frustration, a little bit of disappointment.”
Head coach Craig Berube said that Woll is headed in the right direction and is encouraged by his progress, but did not provide any timetable for his return. The Leafs had the luxury of a light schedule, but that will change next week when the club plays four times at home against Tampa on Monday and St. Louis on Thursday and on the road in Columbus on Tuesday and in Boston on Saturday.
At practice, Toronto maintained the same four line combinations and the top two defensive pairings from Wednesday’s victory over Los Angeles, but Conor Timmins replaced Timothy Liljegren on the bottom pairing with Simon Benoit. Veteran winger Max Pacioretty was an extra skater along with the injured winger Connor Dewar.
Veteran Anthony Stolarz is expected to make his fourth start of the season on Saturday. With games on back-to-back nights early next week, either Dennis Hildeby or Woll will have to make the other start.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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