Dennis Hildeby makes his feelings known after first career shutout win

Dennis Hildeby recorded his first career shutout during Monday's 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The victory put the Maple Leafs back in contention for the playoffs, having won 5 of their last 7 games, and now sitting just three points away from the Atlantic Division leaders, the Detroit Red Wings.

Hildeby, making his 9th appearance and 5th start of the season, was the fourth choice goalkeeper for the Leafs. But injuries to regular duo Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, the latter who only made his season debut on November 15, has pushed him to a starter position.

The Leafs' netminder made 29 saves during the game preserving a 1-0 lead after Morgan Rielly scored at 16:26 in the first period. Auston Matthews scored the insurance empty netter in the penultimate second of the game.

"I had a lot of fun out there. It was a good win. (The shutout) feels good. It’s a puck that you’ll look back on at the end of your career," Hildeby said during his presser on Monday. "My father is very happy about that right now because he collects them all".

Like every other good goalkeeping performance, Hildey was helped by blue line, particulary Troy Stretcher, who stopped the puck going in from inside the crease after fighting Bolts' Brayden Point at 4:31 of the first period.

"Yeah, it's a great play. One of those times where I felt a little off," Hildeby said of the play. "Maybe I wasn't doing what I was supposed to, but he got it done there. So, I'm very thankful for that."

Goaltending has been a major point of difference between the struggling Maple Leafs and their hot streak in the last seven games, where they have stopped 93 percent of the shots that have come their way. During the five wins, Leafs goaltenders earned only five goals and have a league-high .956 save percentage.

Denis Hildeby satisfied after making his family proud

Denis Hildeby improved to a 2-2-2 record this season with 2.15 goals-against average and .936 save percentage, something for his family to cheer about.

"Not only my dad, but my mom, brother and all the relatives out there," Hildeby added. "They’re watching every single game, just keeping me updated and texting me. They’re having a lot of fun right now and that makes me very happy."

Before Woll's debut on November 15, the Leafs' goaltending languished 26th in the NHL, with an .877 save percentage. That has touched the .900 mark after Monday's game, reciprocal to Leafs' rise in the standings.