As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 2 of their playoff series against the Ottawa Senators, all eyes are on goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who is set to start after a strong performance in the opening game. Stolarz was the first goalie off the ice ahead of Tuesday's matchup, indicating his readiness to take the net once again.
Stolarz, 31, has been in phenomenal form, boasting a nine-game winning streak that dates back to March 20, 2025, when he faced the New York Rangers. During this impressive run, he has achieved a 1.44 goals-against average (GAA) and a .949 save percentage, including three shutouts. If he can maintain this level of performance in the playoffs, he will be a formidable barrier for the Senators.
In Game 1, Stolarz made a total of 31 saves, helping the Maple Leafs secure a convincing 6-2 victory against the Senators. Despite being run into by Senators forward Ridly Greig in the third period, Stolarz assured fans post-game that he was not injured. "He had some good work in that game. He had to be sharp. He played a lot of pucks and he was busy," said Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube, highlighting the importance of managing the workload for his goaltender.
The Maple Leafs are looking to take a 2-0 lead in the series, a feat they haven't accomplished since 2002. The last time they achieved this was against the New York Islanders in the first round of the playoffs. Defenceman Jake McCabe emphasized the need to build on their Game 1 success, stating, "The last game doesn’t mean much unless you follow it up with a good effort." Berube echoed this sentiment, saying, "I think we’re in a good spot. I liked our attitude yesterday in practice, pretty business-like, ready to go. It’s one game. What I see is we’ve moved on from it, and we're ready for Game 2. That's the biggest thing. That was Game 1, throw it out."
After a successful regular season where Stolarz recorded a 21-8-3 record, the Maple Leafs are eager to capitalize on their momentum. The team has made some adjustments to their forward lines ahead of Game 2, moving Pontus Holmberg to the second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, while Max Domi shifts to third-line centre, flanked by Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson. McMann, who posted a career-best 20 goals this season, is currently in a slump, having not scored in his last 12 games. Berube has called for more from the 28-year-old, saying, "He's getting his attempts. There's times where I'm not sure the attempt is worth it. I'd like to see him delay a little bit or hang on to pucks a little bit more. He needs to get on the inside. He can provide more. He can do more."
Holmberg, who had seven goals and 19 points in 68 games this season, is also expected to play a crucial role. Berube praised the 26-year-old forward, stating, "He's very good at hanging on to pucks. I need that line to have more offensive zone possession time." With the series still in its early stages, the Maple Leafs are focused on maintaining their intensity and executing their game plan effectively.
The stakes are high as the Maple Leafs aim to solidify their lead before heading to Ottawa for Games 3 and 4. The anticipation builds as fans are eager to see if Stolarz can extend his winning streak and if the team can continue their playoff push. As the puck drops tonight, the excitement in Toronto is palpable, with hopes riding on the team’s ability to capitalize on their early success.
In recent playoff history, the Maple Leafs have faced challenges, including a disappointing first-round exit last year after falling behind 3-1 to the Boston Bruins. They managed to force a Game 7 but ultimately lost in overtime, marking a tough end to the season and the end of head coach Sheldon Keefe's tenure. This year, with a fresh mindset and a strong start, the Maple Leafs are determined to rewrite their narrative and make a deeper run in the playoffs.
As the game approaches, the atmosphere in Scotiabank Arena is electric. Fans are rallying behind their team, hoping to witness a historic moment as the Maple Leafs strive for a 2-0 series lead. The players are aware of the weight of the moment, and with Stolarz in goal, they feel confident heading into this crucial matchup. Will they be able to take the next step towards playoff glory? Only time will tell as the action unfolds on the ice.
