Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren recorded a 35-save shutout in the first start of his NHL career Tuesday night in a 4-0 defeat of the Dallas Stars.
Kallgren received a warm welcome when he entered the Maple Leafs' locker room postgame.
"I don't know. I'm going to take this very day-by-day," Kallgren said postgame when asked if he thinks he can keep it up with the Leafs, according to The Leafs Nation's David Alter. "I've been called up less than a week ago. I'm still just trying to enjoy this; try not to think too much."
Head coach Sheldon Keefe wasn't quick to commit to giving Kallgren a string of starts after the Swede's impressive debut.
"Let's let the paint dry on this one," Keefe said, according to The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton.
The club summoned Kallgren to the crease after Petr Mrazek allowed four goals against the Buffalo Sabres in Sunday's Heritage Classic game. Regular starter Jack Campbell remains sidelined with a rib injury.
The Leafs' goalies have struggled mightily over the last couple of months, with the team surrendering 39 goals in its previous eight games.
Kallgren, 25, had played just 30 minutes of NHL hockey before Tuesday's start, making 10 saves on 11 shots against the Arizona Coyotes last week. He's managed a .904 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average in 26 games with the AHL's Toronto Marlies this season.
Copyright © 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.