The Toronto Maple Leafs will feature a different starting goaltender for the first time this playoff season.
Head coach Craig Berube announced that Anthony Stolarz has been ruled out of Game 2 against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, with Joseph Woll set to start in his place.
Veteran netminder Matt Murray will back up Woll for the game.
Stolarz departed Game 1 during the second period following a forearm to the head from Sam Bennett. He was observed vomiting on the bench during a stoppage and was subsequently taken to the hospital, although he rejoined the team on Tuesday.
No disciplinary action was taken against Bennett for the incident.
Berube stated that Stolarz is “doing well” but provided no specific timeline for his recovery. The team has not yet disclosed the exact nature of the injury.
The decision to make Murray the backup instead of 23-year-old Dennis Hildeby was based on Murray`s extensive experience, including winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The 31-year-old Stolarz had become the primary goaltender for Toronto in these playoffs, playing in all six games during the Maple Leafs` first-round victory against the Ottawa Senators. The ex-Panther registered a .901 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average in that series win.
During the regular season, Stolarz played 34 games for the Maple Leafs, concluding his first season with the team with a 21-8-3 record, a .926 save percentage, and a 2.14 GAA.
Before exiting Monday`s game, he had stopped eight of nine shots faced.
The 26-year-old Woll entered the game in relief and made 17 saves on 20 shots, helping the Maple Leafs secure a 5-4 win.
Tristan Blackwood