Murray recalled by Maple Leafs, will make 1st start since April 2023

The Toronto Maple Leafs recalled goaltender Matt Murray from the Toronto Marlies and assigned netminder Dennis Hildeby to the AHL, the club announced.

Murray will start Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed, according to Luke Fox of Sportsnet.

"He still has a lot of fire inside," Berube said when asked about Murray's first NHL start in 628 days.

The 30-year-old's last game for the Maple Leafs came in April 2023 when he was pulled in a loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

Murray underwent bilateral hip surgery in October 2023.

The two-time Stanley Cup champion owns a 1.85 goals against average with a .931 save percentage across eight games for the Marlies this season.

Toronto is looking for a backup goaltender with Joseph Woll taking the No. 1 job after Anthony Stolarz underwent a knee procedure that will keep him out for four-to-six weeks.