For the crucial Game 7 against the Florida Panthers, a win-or-go-home scenario, the Toronto Maple Leafs will have both of their primary goaltenders available.
According to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, reporting just before the game`s start, Anthony Stolarz is expected to serve as Joseph Woll`s backup on Sunday.
Stolarz has not played since the series opener (Game 1), which he exited after receiving a couple of blows to the head. The 31-year-old was forced out of that first game following an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett and a shot off his mask earlier in the contest.
His readiness for Game 7 was somewhat unexpected, given that he did not participate in the team`s morning skate on Sunday and has not practiced with the team since being taken to the hospital during Game 1.
Despite Stolarz`s potential availability, Joseph Woll is slated to start for the sixth consecutive game in the second round.
In his six appearances facing the Panthers, Woll has posted a goals-against average of 3.28 and a save percentage of .893.
Woll`s last outing was a strong performance, earning his first career playoff shutout in Toronto`s 2-0 victory over the Panthers in Game 6.
Tristan Blackwood