The Toronto Maple Leafs are back on the ice after their 12-day hiatus for the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, and the focus now shifts to their goaltending rotation and injuries as they gear up for the second half of the NHL season. Coach Craig Berube has made clear his plans, announcing the starting goalies for the weekend's matchups.
Berube has opted for Anthony Stolarz to start against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, with Joseph Woll slated to take the net against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. The decision follows Stolarz's recent return from knee surgery he underwent to rectify issues with loose bodies discovered earlier this season.
“When Stolarz came back and played, he didn’t end up playing the last game. He had a lot of time off and I wanted to get him back in there,” Berube explained. Stolarz has impressed so far, holding the NHL's top save percentage at .927 prior to his injury, and is eager to return to form.
Meanwhile, Joseph Woll currently ranks 15th league-wide with a save percentage of .909, indicating solid performance as the Leafs' backup keeper. The strategic rotation reflects the team's careful management of player performance and injury recovery heading toward the trade deadline on March 7, which promises to intensify the competition.
Max Pacioretty, left wing for the Maple Leafs, will be sitting out for the weekend matches due to tightness, though Berube emphasized this is more about ensuring player health than imposing restrictions due to serious injury. “It's not so much of an injury, I don't believe. It's just he's got some tightness,” Berube commented after practice. Pacioretty is expected to be able to practice soon, but Berube determined it was best for him to recover before getting back on the ice.
Other notable injuries include defenseman Connor Dewar, who has been sidelined since January 22 but is on track to potentially return for Sunday’s game. Jani Hakanpaa has also been dealing with knee issues and will not be available until at least March 8. Center Calle Jarnkrok is projected to be back by February 28.
Stolarz is determined to make the most of his return. After missing 24 games, he expressed enthusiasm about being back with the team. “Kind of sucks, obviously, not playing. We were playing pretty well when I went down,” he said, reflecting on his absence and the team’s performance. “So, just to be able to get back out there, be able to practice with the guys again, be around the group, it’s been a lot of fun so far.”
The Maple Leafs have had a record of 10 wins, 5 losses, and 2 overtime losses this season with Stolarz between the pipes, showcasing his impact on the team’s success. With their upcoming games, it's clear the Leafs are not only focused on securing playoff positioning but also on ensuring their roster remains healthy.
Looking forward, the next games will test the Maple Leafs' depth and adaptability as they face intense competition. Following this weekend, they’ll head to Boston, where Woll previously played college hockey, and then to New York City, close to Stolarz's New Jersey roots. Coach Berube will have his eye on how things play out, but acknowledges, “That’s for everybody. It’s not like anyone has an advantage or disadvantage.”
The final eight weeks of the regular season promise to be “nuts,” as coach Rod Brind’Amour of the Carolina Hurricanes noted, with the trade deadline looming and games being highly compressed. For the Maple Leafs, every decision now will be pivotal as they aim for both immediate success and long-term health post-season.