Kallgren's 'surreal week' continues with another Leafs start

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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TSN Toronto Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Maple Leafs, who practised at Ford Performance Centre on Wednesday ahead of their game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday.

Erik Kallgren is getting an encore. The 25-year-old will be back between the pipes on Thursday when the Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes. 

"Not a lot of thought goes into it," coach Sheldon Keefe said. "He obviously earned it last night and the way the guys played in front of him, it was an easy decision."

Kallgren posted a 35-save shutout against the Dallas Stars in his first career National Hockey League start on Tuesday. 

"What I liked the most is I felt comfortable," Kallgren said. "Even though it was my first start and there's a lot of things around that, I felt comfortable and felt like I could perform the way I wanted to."

Thursday will mark one week since Kallgren was recalled from the American Hockey League on an emergency basis after Jack Campbell was forced out of the lineup with a rib injury. Kallgren made his debut that night in a relief performance against the Arizona Coyotes.

"It's been a surreal week and just trying to enjoy it and embrace it all," Kallgren said. "It's a lot, but it's a lot of fun."

Kallgren's phone was flooded with messages following Tuesday's first-star performance. He didn't get to sleep until after midnight, which was later than usual.

"A lot of emotions," he said. "A lot of things to kind of digest."

Erik Kallgren at a loss for words when informed he's the first