As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for a must-win Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, head coach Craig Berube doesn’t expect starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz to suit up.
When asked if Stolarz would travel with the team to Sunrise, Florida, Berube kept it short: “I doubt it.”
Anthony Stolarz Injury Looms Large as Maple Leafs Fight to Survive
Stolarz was back on the ice on Thursday, getting in some time with the Leafs’ black aces, players outside the current lineup, but it was a limited session. According to TSN’s Mark Masters, he skated for just over 30 minutes before leaving the ice.
Anthony Stolarz takes the ice for work at the #leafs practice rink. pic.twitter.com/ghrR6vuwLX
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris)
This marks his second appearance on the ice since an incident in Game 1 that forced him out of action. Stolarz exited midway through that game after taking a shot off the mask, followed by a forearm from Florida forward Sam Bennett. Soon after, Stolarz vomited on the bench and was taken to a local hospital. Although he returned to the team facility the following day, he hasn’t yet returned to full practice or played in a game since.
Stolarz also skated before Game 5, but Berube indicated at the time that a return during the series remained unlikely.
Stolarz Injury Forces Maple Leafs to Depend on Joseph Woll
Joseph Woll has taken over since Stolarz went down, and his performance has seen both highs and lows. He played a key role in helping Toronto win the first two games of the series, with a particularly strong showing in Game 4. But consistency has been an issue for the 26-year-old.
In Game 5, Woll allowed five goals on 26 shots before being pulled for Matt Murray. The Leafs couldn’t recover and were dealt a crushing 6-1 loss at home. The defeat left fans wondering whether a change in net might be necessary, especially with the season on the line.
Stolarz, who closed the regular season on an eight-game win streak, had seized the starting job heading into the playoffs. He was steady in the opening round against Ottawa and looked poised to lead Toronto deeper before the Game 1 setback.
Now, as the Leafs trail 3-2 in the series, they’ll need to win two in a row to keep their season alive. Game 6 is set for Friday night in Florida, with the Panthers looking to close out the series and book a third straight trip to the Eastern Conference Final.
🚨🎙️ Craig Berube on game 5:
“A loss is a loss. If we would have lost 2-1 and it was a close game, would it really matter today? We got beat. I've been in this situation before. We're all going to be down and dejected, but we can't be. We have to regroup… WE WILL BE A LOT… pic.twitter.com/T0S8FHUBae
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest)
The Maple Leafs didn’t run a full practice Thursday, likely opting for rest and recovery before flying out.
Berube admitted after Game 5 that the team made too many costly mistakes and promised a stronger effort in Game 6. With Stolarz still unlikely to return, it’s all eyes on Woll to carry the load, and potentially save Toronto’s season.
