(Oct. 31) — Though the Maple Leafs did not skate this morning in Montreal — and coach Ron Wilson chose not to speak with reporters — Vesa Toskala will start in goal when the Leafs face the Canadiens tonight at the Bell Centre. After Wilson’s post-game media scrum in Buffalo last night, I walked part way to the dressing room with Wilson, asking him about his goaltending plans for Montreal. He was typically non-committal, though he seemed not as sure about starting Toskala as he’d been the previous day. And, that makes sense. While it’s a bit early for a goaltender coming off a groin injury to play three games in four nights, Gustavsson has shown no ill effects of the muscle strain that kept him off the ice for more than two weeks. And, more importantly, the Leafs have finally resembled a professional hockey team with him between the pipes in Anaheim, Dallas and Buffalo. The club has fallen into such an early-season hole, it needs every possible advantage right now.

Wilson does want to get Toskala “back on the horse”, so to speak. But, there appeared to be limited down-side to staying with Gustavsson, who is still only 24 and did not face a heavy workload against the Sabres.

We’ll see if the Leafs’ coach has made the right call with his team reeling at 1-7-3 after 11 games.

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