Dec 10, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) takes a break during a stoppage in play against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/83ba748e-9e73-4a9e-8ab1-8b48774aa7f8.jpeg] Dec 10, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) takes a break during a stoppage in play against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Luther Schlaifer-Imagn Images As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 5 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night, head coach Craig Berube all but confirmed that goaltender Anthony Stolarz will not be available, still with no clear timeline for his return. “Yeah, no, it'll be tough. I'm not really thinking about that yet. That's not there yet,” Berube said following the team’s optional skate at Scotiabank Arena. “So we'll see how everything goes and where he's at and when he gets there and where we're at as a team and our goalies. It's not something I'm really thinking about right now.” Stolarz has been sidelined since Game 1 of the second-round series with an undisclosed injury when he took an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. The 31-year-old left the game during a TV timeout after vomiting on the bench, later exiting Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher [https://x.com/TSN_Sports/status/1919591193157030070]. Berube confirmed that Stolarz had been taken to the hospital for further evaluation the following day. Though Stolarz has returned to the ice in a limited capacity, skating for about 20 minutes ahead of Tuesday’s practice with goaltending coach Curtis Sanford and throughout the week, he has yet to rejoin the team in full practice or game action. Neither he nor Joseph Woll participated in Wednesday’s optional skate. Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz Returns To Ice After Injury Scare From Sam Bennett Collision [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/975e0f6a-445e-4dab-8e9c-298781fb4de3.jpeg] Maple Leafs' Anthony Stolarz Returns To Ice After Injury Scare From Sam Bennett Collision Anthony Stolarz is <a href="https://x.com/dalter/status/1922296842122850734">back on the ice</a>, just over a week after he left Game 1 against the Florida Panthers following a Sam Bennett elbow to the head. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-anthony-stolarz-returns-to-ice-after-injury-scare-from-sam-bennett-collision] This marks the second injury for Stolarz this season. He previously missed nearly two months from mid-December to early February after undergoing knee surgery to remove a loose body found in his knee. Despite the setbacks, he’s enjoyed a career-best campaign in the regular season, putting up a 21-8-3 record, a 2.14 goals-against average, and a .926 save percentage. In the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stolarz has a 4-1-1 record, a 2.19 goals-against average, and a .901 save percentage. In his absence, Woll has taken over the crease. After a rocky start statistically to the series, the 26-year-old delivered his best outing of the postseason in Game 4, stopping 35 shots with a .946 save percentage. Woll appears to be heating up at the right time, and given the uncertainty and the position of the series, it’s likely that he continues to get starts regardless of Stolarz’s status, at least in the short term. ‘Kept Us In It Until The End’: Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll Shines With Impressive Start Despite Game 4 Loss To Panthers [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7f3d62e9-d10f-4f5b-9035-2233c1b5fba7.jpeg] ‘Kept Us In It Until The End’: Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll Shines With Impressive Start Despite Game 4 Loss To Panthers By far, the brightest spot in a frustrating night for the Toronto Maple Leafs was the play of goaltender Joseph Woll — the most notable presence on the ice in Game 4 that saw the club shut out 2-0 by the Florida Panthers in Sunrise. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/kept-us-in-it-until-the-end-maple-leafs-joseph-woll-shines-with-impressive-start-despite-game-4-loss-to-panthers] However, as mentioned, Berube did acknowledge that, once Stolarz is cleared, deciding between the two netminders will be difficult, as all factors will be considered. For now, it appears the decision will be put off until the situation forces one. With no clear timetable for Stolarz’s return, though he is “trending in the right direction,” Woll is expected to start in net as the Leafs look to regain control of the series on home ice in Game 5. Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwytvfCA?ceid=CA:en&oc=3] to never miss a story.
