If the leaf mulch is finely chopped, just leave it on and the garlic will grow through it. If the leaves are matted, you can remove them now. Be gentle as the garlic shoots may be up and growing among the leaves.

TomNJ

I have had my garlics over wintered without mulch. Of course, our coldest has been 15F.
Now, I don't know how cold it will be in Albany after this date, but perhaps it is not going to be colder than 15F.

I say, just remove all the mulch, exposing the tips of seed garlics. Garlics, like most onion/bulbs are immune from cold and freezing, just like daffodiles, tulips, etc.
Lets face it, mulch will not protect anything when it gets down to
teens for extended hours and day. It could be meaningfull for short cold snaps.
When the groung is frozen to a depth of one foot(maybe more in Albany)
does it mater if somthing is mulche or not?

For what it worth..Planted in the fall the roots start growing right, when the ground freezes it expands right. it's very possible the roots can get torn away from the clove during this event and maybe happen many times as it freezes/thaws. That would be one reason to put down some straw. I have noticed here in my field where I have rows of covered and uncovered plants the soil where covered is much softer,the soil is not weathered and has no deep cracks in it like the bare ground does. So,I believe covering the rows is beneficial to the soil more so than protecting the plants from the cold. In past years it's gotten down to 0 degrees for an extended period of time...the plants survived even when not mulched. The soil wasn't in very good condition come spring time though. I like using straw, it's porous enough not to mat down like leaves. I have personally seen elephant plants get freeze dried in an open field where the super cold wind blew over it killing them all. Would they have survived had they been protected more..probably. I do also think part of that problem was a lack of moisture in the soil .

For what it's worth to ya,

-bloo

The temps are back to normal (40-50's for daytime highs and lows 30's at nights) The garlic is uncovered and doing well. I just planted onions next to the garlic.