Toronto Maple Leafs Secure 2-0 Win, Hildeby Records First Shutout

Published

1 hour ago

9 December, 2025

Editorial

UPDATE: In a thrilling matchup on December 8, 2025, the Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0, marking a significant victory for the team. Dennis Hildeby achieved his first NHL shutout, making 29 saves during the game.

The Maple Leafs have now surged to a record of 4-0-1 in their last five games, improving their overall record to 14-11-4. Goals were scored by Morgan Rielly and Auston Matthews, the latter finding the net into an empty goal.

The Lightning, now at 16-11-2, have hit a rough patch, suffering their fourth consecutive loss after a seven-game winning streak. Jonas Johansson managed to stop 22 shots for Tampa Bay, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the defeat.

Hildeby, who started the season as the Maple Leafs’ fourth goaltending option, stepped up in the absence of both Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, currently on injured reserve. The Lightning welcomed back injured players Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov, but were still without their star goalie, Andrei Vasilevskiy.

Tampa Bay’s struggles were evident as they faced back-to-back shutouts for the first time since November 2023. Head coach Jon Cooper expressed hope that Vasilevskiy could rejoin the team during their ongoing four-game road trip.

“We need to find our rhythm again and get back to winning ways,” Cooper stated.

The key moment of the game came when Rielly broke the scoreless tie with just 3:34 left in the first period, scoring his fifth goal of the season despite pressure from Lightning winger Jake Guentzel.

In an impressive note, John Tavares assisted on Rielly’s goal, becoming the first Toronto player aged 35 or older to reach at least 30 points in the first 30 games of a season since Mats Sundin in 2007-08.

Looking ahead, the Lightning will face the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow, while the Maple Leafs are set to host the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

This report by The Canadian Press underscores the urgency and developing nature of the NHL season as teams vie for playoff positioning.