As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for their fourth game against the Florida Panthers this Sunday, there remains significant uncertainty surrounding the availability of goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
During a press conference on Saturday morning, following Toronto`s narrow 5-4 overtime defeat in Game 3 the previous night, head coach Craig Berube provided an update. He indicated that while the goalie has been recovering well from the injury sustained in the opening game of the second-round series, he has not yet resumed skating practice.
Stolarz was forced to leave the Maple Leafs` Game 1 victory on Monday midway through the second period. The departure occurred after Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett delivered an elbow to his head. This hit from Bennett, a former teammate in Florida, happened subsequent to Stolarz having already been struck in the mask by a shot earlier in the game.
The 31-year-old netminder went to the dressing room shortly after the collision with Bennett – having visibly vomited on the bench before departing – and was later transported to a local medical facility for evaluation.
Notably, the National Hockey League`s Department of Player Safety did not impose any disciplinary measures on Bennett for the incident.
Despite rejoining his teammates for practice on Tuesday morning, Stolarz did not travel with the team to Florida for the third and fourth games of the series.
The experienced goaltender, who has previously won a Stanley Cup, had served as a reliable presence for Toronto in the playoffs. Across his seven appearances this season, he maintained a 2.19 goals-against average, a .901 save percentage, and compiled a 4-2 record.
In Stolarz`s absence, Joseph Woll has stepped into the starting role for the Maple Leafs. The 26-year-old has recorded a 2-1 record over the three games he has played (two of which were starts), posting a 2.51 GAA and a .910 save percentage.
If Toronto aims to establish a significant 3-1 lead in the series against Florida on Sunday, it appears highly probable that they will need to accomplish this without Anthony Stolarz on the ice.
Tristan Blackwood