Maple Leafs Lose Starting Goalie to Injury

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to finish Game 1 without their starting netminder.

May 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) and Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (9) battle for position in front of the goal during the second period of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images / John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs took a 4-1 lead into the third period of their Game 1 meeting against the Florida Panthers but will have to finish the game shorthanded. Maple Leafs starting goalie Anthony Stolarz took an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett and forced him from the crease.

With Stolarz experiencing concussion symptoms, the Maple Leafs were forced to throw Joseph Woll between the pipes in a relief situation.

Woll stepped in with about 10 minutes remaining in the second frame and then led the Maple Leafs onto the ice for the third period.

According to the Maple Leafs, Stolarz would not be returning to the game as he continues to be evaluated for his injury. Third-string goalie Dennis Hildeby suited up and took his spot on the bench as the acting backup with Stolarz done for the night.

Maple Leafs G Anthony Stolarz remains under evaluation and will not return to tonight’s game.

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) May 6, 2025

Woll stopped every shot he faced for the remainder of the second frame, but allowed two on the first eight shots faced in the third period, putting the Panthers just a goal behind in the dying minutes of regulation.

Stolarz was a key reason for the Maple Leafs success in the first round against the Ottawa Senators, making 128 saves in six games.

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