Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz seems to be recovering well after a jarring incident during the playoff opener against the Florida Panthers on Monday, May 5. He left midway through the second period following what appeared to be a shot to the head and did not return to the ice.
Latest Update on Anthony Stolarz After Game 1 Controversy
On Tuesday, May 6, teammate Brandon Carlo offered a brief but positive update.
“I think he’s doing well. I’ll allow coach [Craig Berube] to give any updates on that,” Carlo shared. “But, overall, I liked the way that he looked this morning when I got to see him for a smile at breakfast, so that’s always a good thing.”
Brandon Carlo on Anthony Stolarz: "I think he’s doing well. I’ll allow coach to give any updates on that. But, overall, I liked the way that he looked this morning when I got to see him for a smile at breakfast, so that’s always a good thing."@TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters)
Stolarz had stopped eight of nine shots before exiting and helped the Leafs take control early with a 4-1 lead. He left the bench after showing signs of discomfort. Joseph Woll took over in the net and helped preserve a 5-4 win for Toronto.
Later, Berube confirmed that Stolarz had been checked at a local hospital and was discharged. While he’s said to be feeling better, no decision has been made regarding his availability for Game 2. Berube said the team would assess his status closer to game time.
Craig Berube on Anthony Stolarz: "He's doing well. He's here. He's doing good."
Will he be available tomorrow night?
"We'll see. Don't know that yet."
Does he have a concussion?
"Don't know that either."@TSN_Sports
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters)
The injury appeared to happen during a net-front scramble when Florida forward Sam Bennett collided with Stolarz. Replay footage suggested Bennett’s elbow struck the back of the goalie’s head. After a brief stay on the bench, during which Stolarz was visibly sick, he was escorted off and later evaluated for a potential head injury.
Where Things Stand With Stolarz Ahead of Game 2
Stolarz has been a key figure in Toronto’s playoff campaign. In the opening round against Ottawa, he put up strong numbers: a 2.21 goals-against average and .901 save percentage across six appearances. His regular-season efforts were even better, posting a 21-8-3 record with a .926 SV%.
Though Monday’s exit raised concerns, the team appears cautiously optimistic. Berube noted that Stolarz was in good spirits Tuesday morning, joining teammates for breakfast. Still, the Leafs are taking a day-by-day approach as they prepare for the rematch on Wednesday, May 7.
READ MORE: Maple Leafs Demand Punishment After Injury to Anthony Stolarz
Bennett, who was involved in the play that led to the injury, has not received any league discipline. He addressed reporters on Tuesday, saying he didn’t realize contact was made and emphasized he had spoken with Stolarz afterward. The two were once teammates and remain on good terms, according to Bennett.
Should Stolarz be sidelined for Game 2, Woll will likely step in again. While Woll showed some rust in Game 1 after limited playing time lately, the Leafs remain confident in him. During last year’s playoffs, he delivered two excellent performances against Boston, stopping 52 of 54 shots over Games 5 and 6.
Toronto will host the Panthers for Game 2 on Wednesday night, with puck drop at 7 p.m. ET. Whether or not Stolarz suits up remains uncertain, but his recovery so far has eased some of the initial fears.
