TORONTO -- Antoine Bibeau will make his first NHL start Sunday night when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the struggling Colorado Avalanche.
A sixth round pick in 2013, Bibeau has gone 6-5-3 with a .907 save percentage in the American Hockey League this season. The 22-year-old was recalled to back up Leafs No. 1 Frederik Andersen earlier this week after Jhonas Enroth was waived and then demoted.
"Just get out there and play," Leafs coach Mike Babcock said of Bibeau on Sunday morning. "Don't think, don't get in your own way. Just like any young player coming with an opportunity there's always nerves. You've got to handle that and be who you are."
Bibeau got off to a strong start for the AHL's Toronto Marlies, earning AHL goaltender of the month honours in October with a 5-0-1 record, two shutouts and a .944 save percentage in six appearances.
He's since struggled, losing his last five outings (0-4-1) while yielding 20 goals with an .859 save percentage.
The Leafs haven't yet settled their backup goalie position following Enroth's demotion, though the 28-year-old Swede did stop 24-of-27 shots in his first start with the Marlies, a 5-3 victory.
Karri Ramo, signed to a professional tryout last week, has given up seven goals on 58 shots in dropping his first two starts for the Marlies. He hadn't played since February after suffering a torn ACL injury (as well as meniscus damage) while playing for the Calgary Flames last year.
Toronto faces a Colorado squad that was hammered 10-1 by the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday evening. The Leafs, who emerged with a 4-1 win in Boston, are 0-4-1 on the second half of back-to-backs this season.
Injured in the win over the Bruins, defenceman Martin Marincin will not play against the Avalanche. He'll be replaced by 22-year-old Connor Carrick.
