In what seems like a broken record for the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have already been guaranteed to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2016, they’ve suffered another injury to a top player.
Once again, they’ve lost goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who has already missed considerable time this season.
Stolarz, who missed weeks of action, is one of many high-profile names on the Maple Leafs who has missed time because of various injuries, joining names like Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
In fact, Matthews’ season is over thanks to a Grade 3 MCL sprain. It really is simply more insult to injury for the Maple Leafs in a season they’ll want to forget soon after it comes to a close later this month.
Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Is Hurt Once Again
Stolarz was injured during Wednesday’s contest against the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. He departed early in the first period after trying to make a save on Washington’s Cole Hutson, stretching out his left pad and then immediately collapsing to the ice and removing his mask, forcing the on-ice officials to stop the play.
He required the help of a team trainer and several of his teammates to get off the ice and into the tunnel leading toward the team dressing room. It wouldn’t be long before he was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
He was replaced by backup Joseph Woll, who has missed time with injury himself already this season.
So far this season, which is his second with the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing as an unrestricted free agent from the Florida Panthers in 2024, Stolarz has gone 10-10-3 while posting a 3.29 goals-against average and a .892 save percentage.
Stolarz suffered a nerve injury during a Nov. 11 contest against the Boston Bruins, missing the next several weeks. During his recovery in January, he took the time to explain the ailment.
“You just have to let it settle down. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Stolarz said. “It’s not like a bruise, where it goes away. It was just something that I just kind of had to let heal on its own, and it just took a little while.”
“We took the right steps to get everything going and, like I said, I feel good now and just trying to ramp up in practice, get some reps,” the goaltender continued. “I’m excited to be back, be around the group, and you start getting that fire in your belly as you get closer here. It’s exciting to step on the ice every day right now.”
The Maple Leafs Could Be Forced Into Calling Up Reinforcements From The American Hockey League
The Maple Leafs may need to call up goaltender Dennis Hildeby, who already has multiple games of NHL experience earlier this season, up from the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies.
However, the Maple Leafs could also be forced to call up Artur Akhtyamov, who has played in 36 games with the Marlies so far this season, during which he has posted a .903 save percentage.
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