Timing is everything, and for Anthony Stolarz in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ crease, the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Stolarz is on the hottest streak of his career, 8-0-0 in his last eight, three shutouts, a .950 save percentage, and he’s about to be handed a golden opportunity from head coach Craig Berube, as he’ll be starting Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs Sunday night against the Ottawa Senators.
The 31-year-old journeyman has found a home in Toronto, and even though he battled through some injury concerns this year, he still managed to appear in a career high 34 games, he won a career high 21 games, while you guessed it, posting a career high four shutouts. There’s feeling good with your game heading into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and then there’s a newfound level of confidence, much like Stolarz is feeling right now.
Let’s circle back to before this season. Signing in Toronto last summer made a lot of sense for Stolarz. He had strong relationships with several players from his junior days playing for the London Knights, he had former teammates from his days in Philadelphia, and, maybe the best of all, he watched Steven Lorentz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson help his Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup last year, as the three Panthers all signed with the Leafs before this season. It’s been a comfortable setting from day one, and it’s shown. Stolarz dominated this season, he’s riding high, and he’s ready for the next step.
Stolarz joined the Maple Leafs to win, plain and simple. It wasn’t because he was looking to reunite with Mitch Marner and Max Domi. Those were past memories, he wants to make new ones. “I like to not be the typical goalie. You know, like, the weirdo. I like to hang out with all the guys off the ice,” Stolarz said via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox Apr.8. “But as soon as I suit up the pads, I just want to win. That’s all I care about. One of the main reasons I wanted to sign here.”
While he’s never shy of a camera off the ice, one of Stolarz’ best attributes is his ability to communicate on the ice. He loves giving as much information to his defense pairs, and to the forwards in the defensive zone as possible, which has truly benefited the hockey club this season. While Craig Berube has the Leafs playing with more structure, Stolarz is almost like another coach on the ice, making sure his teammates are as aware as possible with any gaps in coverage, or any changes happening on the ice in real time.
“One of the most vocal goalies I’ve ever heard,” Marner said on April via TSN’s Mark Masters.
Here’s a prime example of Stolarz doing whatever he can to make sure his teammates hear him, screaming at them from the other end of the ice last Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens, as a power play was expiring:
Looking ahead to Game 1 Sunday night, one interesting aspect about playing the Senators is the amount of traffic Stolarz is going to have to deal with, especially with Brady Tkachuk in front of the net. Stolarz doesn’t take crap from anyone and battles as hard for his crease as any goaltender in the league. There’s certainly going to be some scrums right on Stolarz’ grill in front of the net, as he’s not shy to lay the lumber when he needs to, much like we saw last month against the L.A Kings:
There’s also these types of mind games that are going to show their face during the first round, a play where Tim Stutzle was in front of the net waiting on the Leafs to break out, meanwhile Stolarz doesn’t mind playing some mind games to try and throw the Senators forward off his game:
Speaking of against the Senators, one of Stolarz best saves of the season came against Senators forward Ridly Greig, Mar.15, where Stolarz showed off his lateral quickness, and his wherewithal to never give up on the play, and lean on his athleticism when needed:
The Maple Leafs haven’t had a goaltender this good in a very long time, and while it’s been fun to watch most of this regular season, now the real fun begins. Stolarz has never been better and he’s ready, willing, and able to take the next step with a very closed-knit Maple Leafs’ squad.
Stolarz has a Stanley Cup ring, however, leading the Maple Leafs, and having his hands all over a Cup run to hockey’s ultimate prize this year in Toronto wouldn’t even compare. The opportunity is knocking, it’s time for the Leafs’ number-one goalie to kick the door down.
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