Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz practised Tuesday, but there isn't a clear timeline on his return to action.
Ahead of the Maple Leafs’ optional practice Tuesday morning, Stolarz appeared, skating with goalie coach Curtis Sanford since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game 1 of their second-round series against the Florida Panthers.
Following the team's practice, Berube said Stolarz is progressing and doing much better but doesn’t have any sense of when he could return to the lineup.
Stolarz exited Game 1 not long after Panthers center Sam Bennett connected with what appeared to be an elbow to the goalie’s head.
Before the elbow, Stolarz took a hard shot from Sam Reinhart to the mask. Midway through Game 1, Stolarz vomited on the bench and was reportedly taken to the hospital. The 31-year-old was back around the team the next day and was said to be in good spirits, according to his teammates.
He did not travel with the team for Games 3 and 4. While on the road, Leafs coach Craig Berube told the travelling media he had not skated yet.
In seven playoff games, the Edison, N.J., native recorded a 4-2-0 record, a .901 save percentage and a 2.19 goals-against average.
His replacement, Joseph Woll, has done an adequate job in relief but shone brightly in Game 4.
The Maple Leafs came out flat in Game 4, taking four penalties in the first period. Woll kept them in the game, stopping 35 of the 37 shots he faced, but it wasn’t enough. In the series, Woll has posted a .893 SP and a 3.51 GAA, winning two of the four games he's played.
Woll will need to replicate his Game 4 performance in Game 5 and possibly Game 6, as it appears Stolarz is unlikely to play.
The Maple Leafs and Panthers are back in action on Wednesday, as Toronto looks to retake the series lead at home.
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