TORONTO — The Maple Leafs haven’t ruled out Anthony Stolarz returning to play Game 2 against the Panthers
Coach Craig Berube said “we’ll see” on Tuesday morning when asked if Stolarz would be available on Wednesday night. Berube confirmed that Stolarz had been evaluated at the hospital following his departure from Game 1, but said he didn’t know whether the 31-year-old had sustained a concussion.
The Leafs coach said that Stolarz was at the team’s practice facility on Tuesday morning.
“He’s here,” Berube said. “He’s doing good.”
Asked if the Leafs were preparing for Joseph Woll to start in Game 2, which seems likely, Berube said, “Yeah, I don’t know that yet. I’ll probably find out (later) today.”
Stolarz left Game 1 after he was clipped in the head by the right forearm of Panthers centre Sam Bennett. He remained in the game for about two minutes of game action before skating to the Leafs’ bench during a TV timeout and vomiting.
Bennett catches Stolarz in the head pic.twitter.com/AorFonA398
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) May 6, 2025
In the event that Stolarz isn’t available, the Leafs will turn back to Woll, who has thrived in similar, if brief, situations. He relieved Ilya Samsonov during the second round of the 2023 playoffs and stopped 64 of 68 shots in two starts — winning one and losing the other.
Woll took over for Samsonov again during the first round of the playoffs last spring and shined with nearly flawless performances in wins over the Bruins in Games 5 and 6. He was unavailable for Game 7 due to injury.
Playing for the first time in more than three weeks in relief of Stolarz in Game 1 against the Panthers, Woll looked a little out of sorts but managed to hang on to secure the 5-4 win.
(Photo: Michael Chisholm / NHLI via Getty Images)