The Maple Leafs have not had the best week so far. The team that looked to be ahead of the game early on in this round 2 series is now up for their first elimination match of these playoffs after Florida defeated them 6-1 in their own home turf! But to be fair, they’ve also had it tough. Their starting goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, who bagged a .901 save percentage in the seven games that he managed to play in the postseason, was knocked out in game 1 of the round 2 series and doesn’t look like he’ll be returning any time soon.
Not only did Anthony Stolarz have knee surgery last December, but just as he was finding his way back into the groove by helping his team make it through round 1 of the playoffs, there came round two, where the Leafs had to face the offensive force of nature that is the Florida Panthers. Not only was Stolarz hit on the chin by Sam Reinhart in the first period of the game, but in what seemed to be an honest accident, Sam Bennett struck Stolarz on the head while trying to cut across to the goal. And though Stolarz tried to stay on and continue for about two minutes, he ended up vomiting on the bench and had to be rushed to the hospital. Needless to say, he hasn’t been with the Leafs for the last few games, and according to a recent statement by coach Craig Berube, it doesn’t look like he’ll be returning super soon either.
Craig Berube, on if Anthony Stolarz will travel to Florida for Game 6: “I doubt it.”
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 15, 2025
Considering the Leafs lost the last game 6-1 and Joseph Woll’s save percentage went down to 0.8, it is no surprise that Berube is feeling the pressure to bring Stolarz back, but according to this recent statement on X, it seems highly unlikely that the Leafs’ starter will be back to somehow save them from elimination as they battle Florida in the Amerant Bank Arena on the 17th. So how far off is Stolarz from returning?
Anthony Stolarz was seen practicing on the ice ahead of game 5, despite Berube’s statement on game 6
Though Stolarz is unlikely to make an appearance for the Leafs’ critical game 6, he was seen on the ice for practice prior to game 5. At the time, Craige Berube had said, “He’s progressing. He was on the ice a little bit, so he’s doing much better.” During the session, Stolarz is said to have had one-on-one practice with the goalie coach for about 25 minutes before exiting ahead of the main practice session.
The nature of Stolarz’s injury is still undisclosed, but if it is indeed a concussion, then one may venture to speculate that his return will only occur after the playoffs, whether or not the Leafs make it past game 6. And considering said game is taking place on Florida’s home turf, where the entire team is set on doing whatever it takes, quite literally, to hold on to that cup, making it past game 6 doesn’t look too likely.
But will Joseph Woll be able to hold his own after game 5? This leaves room for a lot of speculation. Woll probably didn’t know what he was in for, and despite holding his own for those first two games, jumping straight into the heat of it against the defending champs in the height of their offensive play can’t be easy. It couldn’t have been easy for Matt Murray either, the third-choice goalie, who was put between the poles when Woll let through five shots!
Regardless, the stakes of this competition cannot help Stolarz get better faster, which is the priority here; head injuries are no joke, Stanley Cup or not.
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