The Toronto Maple Leafs have not given a firm update on goalie Anthony Stolarz’s concussion, but signs point to a long recovery ahead. Sources say he hasn’t skated since leaving during Game 1 of the second-round Eastern Conference playoff series between the Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers.
Stolarz also reportedly didn’t travel with the team to Florida for Game 3. Toronto head coach Craig Berube said it’s unlikely the 31-year-old will play in Game 4.
Craig Berube on Anthony Stolarz’s Recovery Process
According to The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, Berube said in a press conference Saturday, May 10, that Stolarz is “recovering,” but a return to the ice is still a ways off.
Anthony Stolarz is "progressing," according to Craig Berube, but he hasn't resumed skating yet. Would suggest his return is still a little ways off.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 10, 2025
Stolarz suffered two head injuries during Game 1 on Monday, May 5. He was first hit in the mask by the puck and later took an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Bennett wasn’t penalized, and the NHL’s Department of Player Safety didn’t issue any discipline.
Stolarz stayed in the game after being looked at by the medical team, but left the ice during the next TV timeout and didn’t return. Some video shows Stolarz possibly throwing up on the bench, and reporters said he was later stretchered to the hospital.
The next day, he returned to Scotiabank Arena and started doing off-ice activities with the Leafs and the league. Joseph Woll has started in the net for Toronto since, including a 25-save effort in Game 2 on Wednesday, May 7, when the Leafs beat Florida 4-3 to take a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 was another story. The Panthers bounced back, winning 5-4 in overtime on home ice. Florida forward Brad Marchand led the comeback after the team trailed by two goals more than once. Woll struggled in the net for the Maple Leafs, allowing five goals on 36 shots. The Leafs still have the lead, but they will need Woll to maintain a presence between the pipes against a Panthers team that can turn things on immediately.
“It obviously felt good for the group,” Marchand said via NHL.com. “We had a good game – a better second half of the game because we didn’t start the way we would have liked. I love their resiliency. We battled back from a couple two-goal deficits and we just competed the way we know we can. But it’s all about doing it the next game. We know they’re going to come out hard.”
Game 4 of the series will be played on Sunday, May 11, at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunshine, Florida.