SEATTLE — The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their strong play on the West Coast with a 3-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night, showcasing resilience and depth, particularly after the return of goaltender Anthony Stolarz.
Stolarz, back from knee surgery after missing eight weeks, wasted no time reminding fans of his excellence. With 26 saves, he played the part of the star, bolstering the Maple Leafs’ defense against the Kraken’s offense which has struggled recently. Philippe Myers opened the scoring just 7:23 minutes with his first goal since 2022, snapping home the puck after it deflected off Kraken forward Matty Beniers.
Following Myers, Bobby McMann found the net during a power play late in the first period, redirecting a shot from Morgan Rielly to double Toronto’s lead. Meanwhile, Matthew Knies, who’s been on fire lately, extended his goal streak to three games, putting one through late in the second after video review upheld the initial call of the goal, keeping the momentum firmly with the Leafs. Despite Seattle’s Eeli Tolvanen finally managing to murmur their only goal late, it was too little, too late as Stolarz held the line against the rest of their attempts.
After the game, members of the Leafs praised Stolarz’s performance. 'He looked like he didn’t miss a beat,' said Myers. The team's success against the Kraken has been notable; with this being their seventh win out of eight encounters since the franchise's inception. Calgary’s performance brought the best out of the defense as they successfully killed all five Kraken power plays.
Head coach Craig Berube had noted before the game the importance of maintaining control on the puck to navigate against the Kraken’s speed. His players, particularly the forwards, worked efficiently to keep offensive pressure. On his debut back, Anthony Stolarz received raves from his teammates who appreciated his aggressive style and shot-stopping prowess.
Stolarz himself reflected on his performance, stating, 'I just had to make the saves,' emphasizing how support from the players was pivotal for easing his return. 'The guys did a great job tonight, helping me by letting me see lot of the pucks.'
For the Maple Leafs, this victory continues building momentum as they chase playoff positioning and seek to capitalize on their formidable goal-scoring depth combined with newfound defensive reliability. Playing their roles as top scorers, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares have established the necessary chemistry to keep the offensive lineup productive. This newly formed line seems to be fulfilling the promise showcased by early season matchups, only reinforcing the team’s title aspirations this season.
Looking forward, both teams are scheduled to face off again as the Maple Leafs will meet the Vancouver Canucks and the Kraken will play the Calgary Flames, making them even hungrier for success.
This victory against Seattle, combined with the successful return of Stolarz, encapsulates the Maple Leafs’ ambition as they head through the season. The outcome of this game not only solidifies their position but also reinvigorates their roster with confidence as they fine-tune their strategies for the challenges yet to come.