Maple Leafs netminder Petr Mrazek out at least six weeks with groin injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs will once again have to embrace a "next man up" mentality regarding their goaltenders, this time through the end of the regular season.

Per Dave McCarthy of the NHL's website, Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed on Thursday that goalie Petr Mrazek will miss at least six weeks of action due to the groin injury he suffered in the first period of Tuesday's 6-4 win at the Boston Bruins. As was the case earlier this month, Erik Kallgren replaced Mrazek and is temporarily atop the depth chart at the position as Jack Campbell continues to recover from a rib injury. 

"Mrazek is getting another consultation today just to get some confirmations on some things but at this point it's looking like he is going to be out a minimum of six weeks," Keefe explained. "If anything changes on that front, we will let you know but that's the sense we have right now."

Toronto's final regular-season game is scheduled for April 29 versus the Bruins, and the playoffs are set to begin May 2. 

"Kallgren has done a great job, won big games for us," Keefe added. "He comes in the other night on the road against the Boston Bruins with lots of game left and it was a tight game at that point. He's beat Carolina in here (3-2 on March 17). I mean he's won us some big hockey games and done really well.

"He's gained confidence the more comfortable he gets here and obviously Jack is right on the cusp of returning and looks really good so from that sense we feel good."

Campbell hasn't played since March 8 but should be a full participant for Friday's practice and has gone 24-9-4 with a 2.65 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 40 games and 39 starts this season. Kallgren, meanwhile, is 3-2-1 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .911 save percentage across six games and four starts on the campaign. 

Toronto began Thursday third in the Atlantic Division standings with 89 points, two points up on the Bruins and one point behind the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning.