Maple Leafs Holl back to AHL with return of Rielly, Hainsey

Kaylee Pofahl

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Maple Leafs Holl back to AHL with return of Rielly, Hainsey image

Justin Holl's NHL debut couldn't have gone better. 

The rookie defenseman scored in both games he appeared in for Toronto after being brought up on an emergency basis, helping the Maple Leafs shut out their opponents in each matchup. 

Mike Babcock gave Holl the nod when Roman Polak and Ron Hainsey were both placed on injured reserve due to illnesses. The Leafs were already without Morgan Rielly, who has been missing from Toronto's lineup since Jan. 18 with an upper-body injury. 

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While Polak remains out, Rielly and Hainsey are back on the ice as of Saturday. With Rielly ready to return to game action, Holl was sent back to the AHL.

Holl made the most of his brief NHL stint.

The 26-year-old scored a goal apiece against the Rangers and the Islanders, contributing to the Leafs' first shutouts since Dec. 10. 

Babcock's decision ultimately comes down to Borgman, Dermott and Holl. Borgman has been rotating in and out of the lineup nearly all season while Dermott has been effective in his 10 NHL games, though Babcock said on Saturday the rookie defenseman needs to play better in his own end.

Kaylee Pofahl