The Toronto Maple Leafs opened their second-round series with a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Monday night, May 5, 2025. However, the game was overshadowed by a concerning incident involving Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who was hospitalized after a hit from Panthers forward Sam Bennett.
At 7:20 of the second period, Bennett collided with Stolarz, catching him with an elbow to the head while attempting to maneuver around the net. Stolarz remained in the game for several more minutes but ultimately skated to the bench, where he was seen vomiting before exiting the ice. He was later stretchered out of Scotiabank Arena and transported to a local hospital, raising immediate concerns about his health.
As of Tuesday morning, May 6, 2025, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety is reviewing the hit, but no decision on any suspension has been announced. Stolarz had made eight saves on nine shots before leaving the game after 30:12 minutes on the ice. Joseph Woll replaced him and stopped 17 of 20 shots, helping the Maple Leafs secure the win despite a late push from the Panthers.
William Nylander was the star of the first period for Toronto, scoring two goals to give the Maple Leafs an early 2-0 lead. The Panthers responded with a goal from Seth Jones, but Morgan Rielly quickly restored the two-goal cushion. Chris Tanev scored for Florida in the second period, while Eetu Luostarinen and Uvis Balinskis added goals in the third, narrowing the gap. However, Matthew Knies' goal provided crucial insurance for the Maple Leafs before Bennett scored late, finalizing the score at 5-4.
Postgame, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice addressed the hit on Stolarz. “Not nearly as good as the referee’s vantage point. He was standing right there. He saw it,” Maurice stated. He expressed his hope for Stolarz’s quick recovery, adding, “We love that guy. We hope he gets better really fast.”
In contrast, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was more critical of the officiating, emphasizing the need for accountability. “Elbow to the head. Clearly. Clear as day,” Berube said. “I’m not sure why there’s not a call on it. I get it, they miss calls. But it’s clearly a penalty.”
Stolarz’s injury has raised concerns for the Maple Leafs as they prepare for Game 2, scheduled for Wednesday night, May 7, 2025, in Toronto. While Stolarz has been a key player for the Leafs, starting all seven of their playoff games with a 2.19 goals-against average and .901 save percentage, his status for the upcoming game remains uncertain.
Joseph Woll, who stepped in for Stolarz, acknowledged the challenge of entering the game under such circumstances. “You go from kind of chilling to being in the front line of action,” Woll said. “I’ve been trying to do my best and stay prepared and be ready for moments like this.” His performance was commendable, and teammates expressed confidence in his abilities going forward.
Defenseman Morgan Rielly, who scored in the game, voiced his support for Woll, stating, “We all have all the faith in the world in Joe. You don’t want to see anyone leave the game, but we have faith and depth in our guys.”
Forward Matthew Knies echoed Rielly's sentiments, praising Woll's readiness to step up when called upon. “He’s been an incredible goalie for us. He’s stepped up every time we’ve asked him to,” Knies said.
The tension surrounding the series is palpable, especially considering the history between the two teams. This is the second time they have met in the second round of the playoffs in the last three seasons, with the Panthers eliminating the Maple Leafs in five games in 2023. As the series progresses, both teams will be keenly aware of the stakes involved.
As the Maple Leafs look to build on their Game 1 victory, they will need to navigate the uncertainty surrounding Stolarz's health and the implications of Bennett's hit. The league's ruling on the incident could have significant ramifications for both teams as they vie for a spot in the next round.
With Game 2 looming, the intensity will undoubtedly rise, and both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in this high-stakes playoff matchup. The Maple Leafs will aim to capitalize on their momentum, while the Panthers will look to regroup and respond to the challenges ahead.
As fans await further updates on Stolarz’s condition and the league’s decision regarding Bennett, one thing is certain: the playoff battle between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers is just heating up.
