TORONTO – Petr Mrazek waited just 16 days after his first groin injury as a Toronto Maple Leaf to slide back in the crease.
He immediately reaggravated the injury. In hindsight, the return was rushed.
Exercising caution, Mrazek and the team delayed 42 days this time before giving his groin another test Saturday versus the Chicago Blackhawks.
Yes, following a month and a half of Jack Campbell holding down the fort (and feel-good story Joseph Woll popping up for a winning record), Mrazek will once again attempt to jumpstart his Leafs career.
Take 3.
“Feeling good,” an upbeat Mrazek said. “Especially when you’re on a new team, you want to compete, you want to win games. That’s how it is. Especially with goaltenders, you have to be careful with groins. You have to make sure it’s healed well.”
To that end, the Leafs had Mrazek play a game with the AHL Marlies on Sunday (he gave up four goals in a loss to Laval), and the veteran appreciated the tune-up exercise.
In his five periods with the Maple Leafs, Mrazek is 1-1 with an .877 save percentage.
There’s an air of anxiousness for him to not only play but play well.
“He's handled it well in terms of his energy that he's brought every day and the work that he's put in to get back healthy. He agrees to go down and play in the American League to get that game in. He's doing all the right things to get himself on track here,” coach Sheldon Keefe said.
“He's healthy now. He's excited to play. So, we're obviously hoping that we're past the injuries here and we can build some momentum with him.”
Toronto signed the 29-year-old as a free agent over the summer to a three-year, $11.4-million contract to balance Campbell’s workload.
Yet Campbell has appeared in more games (22) this season than any goalie outside of Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko (23), and he just posted back-to-back sub-.900 starts for the first time this year.
Jack Campbell back to blaming himself postgame.
Any particular goal he would he like to have back?
“Yeah. Four of them.” (wink)— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) December 10, 2021
Certainly, the mental and physical rest that comes with a healthy, proven tandem-mate should only benefit the Leafs’ Number 1.
“Coming into the season, the intent was not to play Jack as much as we have. So, there's the workload piece of it,” said Keefe, who sees benefit in Campbell having an experienced partner to practice with and discuss the details of the position.
“They should be pushing each other and challenging each other for the net each day. What's happened is that Petr hasn't played very much all season, obviously. And then Jack has taken the ball and absolutely run with it. We've built even more confidence than we had in Jack coming into the season, and he himself has got great confidence and great expectations for himself.
“So, that's worked out positively. But we do need to get another guy here to be partnering with him, and keeping Petr healthy is an important piece of that.”
Joseph Woll rejoins the Marlies and will accompany them on their road trip.
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) December 11, 2021
One-Timers: More than two months after Ilya Mikheyev suffered his broken thumb, the winger is still awaiting his season debut. Though practising with the team in full Friday and getting positive news on the healing of his digit from a doctor this week, the winger still needs to regain strength in his thumb before seeing action…. After tonight, Jason Spezza will have served half of his six-game suspension. No word yet from commissioner Gary Bettman on Step 1 of his appeal…. Travis Dermott (shoulder) is still wearing non-contact red at practice, meaning a third straight game for callup Kristians Rubins…. Rubins will join Justin Holl on the third pairing, with rookie Timothy Liljegren hopping over the boards with Jake Muzzin. “We’re taking more of a balanced approach here with [Rasmus] Sandin out,” Keefe says…. Short-lived Leaf Kurtis Gabriel is in the building, but his colours have changed…. Kevin Lankinen starts in net for the Blackhawks.
Want to thank the TML organization in its entirety for having me. Was great to get to know the guys up top & down on the Marlies, made some great friendships quickly. I was treated incredibly well. It was packed full with learning experiences to take with me. Thx to the fans too!
— Kurtis Gabriel (@kurtisgabriel) December 10, 2021
I am BEYOND excited to have an opportunity with the @NHLBlackhawks Chomping at the bit to get started, and have been already working at being ready for my first chance to pull on the jersey. Lets work!
— Kurtis Gabriel (@kurtisgabriel) December 10, 2021
