The Toronto Maple Leafs are gearing up for Game 2 of their second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers, but they will have to do so without their starting goaltender, Anthony Stolarz. On May 7, 2025, head coach Craig Berube confirmed that Stolarz will not play after suffering an injury in Game 1, where he was knocked out of the game following a collision with Panthers forward Sam Bennett.
In the first game of the series on May 5, Stolarz took a forearm to the head from Bennett, which left him visibly shaken. After the incident, he vomited on the bench and was subsequently taken to the hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, Stolarz was spotted at the team's practice facility the following day, smiling and appearing to be in good spirits, although the nature of his injury remains undisclosed.
"He's doing well," Berube said, but he did not provide further details regarding Stolarz's condition or a timeline for his return. This absence is a significant blow for the Maple Leafs, as Stolarz had been instrumental in their playoff run, having started all six games in their first-round victory over the Ottawa Senators. During that series, he posted a .901 save percentage and a 2.22 goals-against average.
With Stolarz sidelined, 26-year-old Joseph Woll will step in as the starting goaltender for Game 2. Woll came on in relief during Game 1, stopping 17 of 20 shots and helping the Maple Leafs secure a 5-4 victory. His experience in the playoffs is notable; he previously played crucial minutes during last year's postseason, including a Game 4 victory against the Panthers that extended the series.
"We've got a lot of confidence in him," said Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, emphasizing Woll's focus and preparation. Woll's regular season numbers were solid, as he finished with a 27-14-1 record, a .909 save percentage, and a 2.73 goals-against average.
Backing up Woll will be veteran goaltender Matt Murray. Having won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Murray brings significant playoff experience, although he has played only two games for the Maple Leafs this season, recording an .879 save percentage. Berube stated that Murray's experience was a key factor in his selection as Woll's backup for this high-stakes matchup.
As the Maple Leafs prepare for Game 2, they are focused on maintaining their momentum from the first game and not seeking retribution against Bennett, who was not disciplined for the incident that injured Stolarz. "Win. That's how you get 'em," said forward Scott Laughton when asked about the team's approach to the situation.
Bennett himself addressed the incident during a media session, expressing concern for his friend Stolarz. "I heard that he went to the hospital last night. Stoly is a good friend of mine. I reached out to him, and he responded. You never want to see an injury like that," Bennett said. He insisted that he did not intend to injure Stolarz and described the contact as merely a bump while he was focused on scoring.
Reflecting on the incident, Bennett acknowledged the emotions surrounding injuries in hockey, saying, "Whenever your starting goalie is injured, people are going to be upset. Looking back at the video, really, the contact that was made was, in my opinion, really just a bump. There was no forceful action." He emphasized that he plays a hard style of hockey but does not aim to cross the line.
Despite the loss of Stolarz, the Maple Leafs are looking to build on their Game 1 success. Berube noted that the team needs to start games with more energy and intensity. "Our start is big. We came out slowly. They came out with a lot of jump. It is going to be huge, getting back to our game," Bennett said, highlighting the need for a quicker start in Game 2.
On the other side, the Panthers are also making adjustments ahead of the matchup. Defenseman Aaron Ekblad will return from suspension for Game 2 after missing two games for a hit in the previous round. Ekblad's return adds depth to the Panthers' defensive lineup as they seek to capitalize on the absence of Stolarz.
Additionally, the Panthers are making a change on their forward lines, replacing A.J. Greer with Mackie Samoskevich on the fourth line. Samoskevich, who had a productive regular season with 15 goals and 31 points, will look to provide a spark for the Panthers as they aim to even the series.
As the excitement builds for Game 2, fans can tune in to see how both teams adapt to the changes and who will take the upper hand in this intense playoff series. Live coverage of the Maple Leafs-Panthers matchup begins at 7 p.m. ET on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
