Stolarz did not return after the first period in Toronto’s 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury.
Stolarz did not return after the first period in Toronto’s 3-2 win against the Anaheim Ducks with a lower-body injury.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs begin prepping for their back-to-back weekend starting with the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, head coach Craig Berube revealed that goaltender Anthony Stolarz (lower-body) traveled with the team but there are no intentions that he’ll suit up for either games.
“He did come but he will not go on the ice,” said Berube of Stolarz on Saturday morning. “We’re going to give him another day.”
On Friday, the netminder did not take the ice ahead of the club’s practice at the Ford Performance Centre, with Berube labeling the 30-year-old as “day–to-day.”
It remains unknown when and how Stolarz picked up the lower-body injury tag. It appeared he was uncomfortable after the New Jersey Devils scored their first goal on Tuesday and it became agitated in the game against Anaheim on Thursday night – causing him to exit the game after the first period.
Stolarz has been the anchor for the Leafs all season long, boasting a 9-5-2 record with a 2.15 goals against average and a .927 save percentage in his first season in Toronto.
Now the club will turn to 1b, Joseph Woll, who missed the start of the year on injured reserve as he dealt with “groin tightness.” In his place, Stolarz was the anchor for the Leafs to open the year. The organization will look to Woll to continue his strong play, which has won seven of his last eight starts.
“We have a lot of faith in Joseph Woll too,” said forward Matthew Knies. “He’s done incredible this year, we're not happy with Stolie’s status but we need Joe to step up for us and he’s been doing a great job. We have a lot of faith that he can help us win games.”
Woll has an 8-3-0 record with an impressive 2.16 goals against average and .921 save percentage this season.