The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to welcome back two key players, Mitch Marner and Anthony Stolarz, for their upcoming game against the Seattle Kraken. Marner, who has missed one game due to a lower-body injury, is the team's leading scorer with 70 points in 52 games. Stolarz returns after nearly two months sidelined with a knee injury, during which he maintained the league's top save percentage of .927.
Stolarz's return is highly anticipated, though concerns linger about his health and whether he can maintain his stellar performance post-injury. Similarly, Marner's relatively brief absence raises questions about how readily he can regain his rhythm after missing the Leafs' previous game against the Calgary Flames.
Currently, the Maple Leafs boast a record of 32-19-2, placing them second in the Atlantic Division. They have two games scheduled before taking a two-week break for the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament. Stolarz is expected to start both upcoming games, preparing him for larger responsibilities as the playoffs approach.
Head coach Craig Berube confirmed Stolarz's readiness for the matchup against the Kraken, indicating the goaltender participated fully during the morning skate. Prior to his injury, Stolarz had earned himself a solid 9-5-2 record with a 2.15 goals-against average. "Yeah, he’s good to go for the start," Berube said during his media availability on Thursday.
Stolarz's extended absence had raised questions about possible 'rust' upon returning to game action. Berube emphasized the need for the team to play tightly defensively to support Stolarz, especially against the Kraken's dangerous rush game. He stated, "We’ve got to do a good job in front of him. We don’t need to be giving those guys chances off the rush; we’ve got to check hard tonight.”
On the offensive side, Marner brings significant scoring power back to the Leafs. Before his injury, he had been enjoying a standout season, ranking fifth overall in the NHL scoring race. Marner's absence was due to what he described as "a spasm thing” which locked up on him briefly. He expressed relief at returning to form, feeling "100%" following his recovery.
Berube noted some adjustments to the lineup, as Marner will not return to his usual top line with captain Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Instead, he will join John Tavares and William Nylander on the second line, with Max Domi currently taking Marner's place on the top line.
This strategic shift may prove beneficial, especially as Domi provided energy alongside Matthews during Marner's absence. Nylander, too, has benefited from Marner’s playmaking abilities and could complement Tavares effectively.
With Toronto’s upcoming schedule, Stolarz and Marner's successful reintegration is key for the squad’s playoff ambitions. The Leafs’ previous success during Stolarz’s absence speaks to the depth they have within the roster. Goalkeeper Joseph Woll performed well, compiling an 11-7-0 record with a .902 save percentage, yet the team is eager to return to full strength.
Marner's performance this season has raised expectations, as he is on track to potentially hit the elusive 100-point mark for the first time if he stays healthy. His 70 points include 16 goals and 54 assists, highlighting his dual-threat capability as both scorer and playmaker.
Following his surgery to remove what was described as a 'loose body' from his knee, Stolarz’s recovery marked eight weeks since he last took to the ice. His impressive save percentage prior to the injury showcased his skill level and capability to keep games competitive.
The atmosphere surrounding the team is likely to be electric, fueled by excitement for these two pivotal player returns. Both Stolarz and Marner will aim to hit the ground running and reinforce the Leafs’ playoff positioning.
Overall, this matchup against Seattle presents both a measure of readiness for Stolarz and the opportunity for Marner to immediately re-establish his offensive presence. The team faces important challenges but also the opportunity to strengthen their playoff hopes with both of these key players back on the ice.
With high stakes approaching, this game marks not only the return of valuable talent but serves as a litmus test for how the team can rally together to secure their postseason aspirations.