In a thrilling start to the second round of the NHL playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Florida Panthers 5-4 in Game 1, but not without a significant cost. The Leafs lost their starting goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, midway through the second period after he took an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. The incident, which raised eyebrows and sparked debate over officiating, overshadowed what was otherwise a strong performance by the Leafs.
The game, held on May 5, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, saw the Leafs take an early lead. William Nylander opened the scoring just 26 seconds into the first period, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the Panthers. The Leafs quickly built on their momentum, with Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev adding goals to give Toronto a commanding 4-1 lead by the end of the second period.
However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically when Stolarz was forced to leave the game. Initially, he had blocked a shot from Sam Reinhart that knocked his mask off, but it was the elbow from Bennett that proved more consequential. Coach Craig Berube commented on the hit, stating, “Elbow to the head, clear as day. I get it, they miss calls. But it’s clearly a penalty.” Despite the apparent foul, no penalty was called on the play.
Following the elbow, Stolarz was seen vomiting into a bucket at the bench during a media timeout. This alarming moment led to his immediate exit from the game, with backup Joseph Woll stepping in with 9:46 remaining in the second period. Woll, who had not played since April 17, had to quickly adjust to the high-pressure situation.
"We didn't know what happened, but we have all the faith in the world in Joe," said Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, reflecting the team's confidence in their backup. Woll managed to stop the bleeding initially, but as the game progressed, he faced mounting pressure from the Panthers, who sought to capitalize on the change in momentum.
As the third period unfolded, the Panthers began to claw back into the game. After a brief surge from Toronto, Florida scored two quick goals, narrowing the lead to just one. The tension in the arena was palpable as the defending champions began to find their rhythm, putting the Leafs on the defensive.
Despite the pressure, the Leafs held on, with a critical goal from Matt Knies providing a much-needed cushion late in the game. Knies’ breakaway goal with just six minutes left proved decisive, as it extended the lead to 5-3. Florida's Bennett netted another goal with 1:55 remaining, but the Leafs managed to stave off the comeback, securing the victory.
Stolarz’s health remains a concern as he was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, with the team announcing he would not return to the game. Coach Paul Maurice expressed his concern for Stolarz, saying, “We love that guy and hope he gets better real fast.” The situation surrounding Bennett's hit is also under scrutiny, with many speculating whether the league will take further action.
Looking ahead, the Leafs will need to quickly regroup as they prepare for Game 2 of the series, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7, 2025. They will be bolstered by the return of Aaron Ekblad, who is set to rejoin the Panthers after serving a two-game suspension for a previous incident. The stakes are high as both teams vie for momentum in this tightly contested playoff series.
As the series continues, the Maple Leafs will have to navigate the challenges of playing without their starting goaltender, while the Panthers will be looking to capitalize on any weaknesses exposed by Toronto's adjustments. With the series now at 1-0 in favor of the Leafs, the anticipation for Game 2 is palpable, as both teams prepare for what promises to be another intense battle on the ice.
