The Maple Leafs practised on Friday at the Ford Performance Centre.

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Joseph Woll practised with the Leafs for the first time since being a surprise scratch on opening night.

"A little bit of groin tightness and I'm feeling better now," the 26-year-old goalie said.

Woll is inching closer to a return to game action.

"Sooner than later, I would think," said coach Craig Berube. "But, you know, you gotta kind of take it day-by-day still."

The Leafs are entering a busy stretch with six games in 10 days starting Saturday when they host the New York Rangers.

"I'm just really trying to take it day-by-day and stack good days on top of each other," Woll said when asked about his timeline.

Woll's injury seemed to come out of nowhere. He practised on Oct. 8 and expressed excitement about getting the chance to start the season opener the next day in Montreal.

"It wasn't good enough to go so just been focused on getting back," he said.

The St. Louis native didn't say specifically when or how the injury was sustained.

"You know, truthfully, I don't want to get too much more into it, if that's okay," he said. "Yeah, just focused on getting better now."

Woll didn't miss any time during training camp. He dressed in two exhibition games, including the pre-season finale on Oct. 5. He did appear to be in discomfort after stretching to make a save during a practice on Oct. 3.

Woll missed significant time last season with a high ankle sprain before a back issue kept him out of Game 7 of the playoff series against Boston.

Whenever Woll returns to the crease, he vows to hit the ground running.

"I've had experiences like this before," he said with a smile. "Maybe in the past I'd be a little worried for it, but I trust myself that if I prepare the right way, I trust I can come in and do my job when it's time."

Woll, who signed a three-year extension in the summer, has played 36 regular season games in his NHL career.

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Anthony Stolarz is set to make a third straight start on Saturday. When is the last time he had a chance like this?

"Probably not since I was in the American League, I guess, with San Diego a few years back," he said. "I was kind of a starter there and had a nice stretch of games.

Stolarz posted a .922 save percentage in 39 games with the San Diego Gulls in the 2019-20 season. The last time he started three........

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