Joseph Woll Named Maple Leafs’ Game 2 Starter As Anthony Stolarz’s Return Vs. Panthers Remains Uncertain

Mar 5, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) is pulled for Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) after surrendering three goals to the Vegas Golden Knights during the first period at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Anthony Stolarz is still recovering from his collision with Sam Bennett in Game 1 against the Florida Panthers and will not dress for Game 2 for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

"He's recovering," head coach Craig Berube said. "Just recovering, so he's doing well."

Joseph Woll will start for Toronto after getting nearly half of Game 1 in net, stopping 20 of 23 shots against. Matt Murray, who has appeared in two games with the Maple Leafs in the regular season, will back up Woll.

Stolarz's head took the brunt of a collision with Bennett during the second period on Monday. He remained in the game for a few minutes before throwing up on the bench and exiting the ice.

Berube confirmed after an optional practice on Tuesday that Stolarz went to the hospital to be evaluated after leaving Game 1. There's no timeline for when the 31-year-old could return, and Berube didn't have an answer "right now" on whether Stolarz would return in the series.

"Yeah, he seems to be feeling better. He's been around the rink and stuff, so it's obviously good to see him," Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews said Wednesday morning.

"I'm not really trying to pester him with questions and stuff. Just try to be there to support him, and hopefully he'll be back here soon."

Murray won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017. He played 32 playoff games in Pittsburgh's second cup run, coming out of the playoffs with a .923 save percentage.

He'll be a calming presence for Woll, who's being thrown into another series for Toronto after beginning the playoffs as the backup.

"We got a lot of confidence in him. He's extremely focused, does all the right things," Matthews said of Woll. "It's not easy just getting thrown into the fire like that, but obviously tonight he'll be prepared and ready to go."

Stolarz communicates loudly with his teammates during games, while Woll is more reserved. Berube mentioned ahead of Game 2 that there'll be an adjustment with the defensemen.

"It's different, obviously, with each goalie. But I don't think it's a lot of adjustments that need to be made," he said. "I think with a goalie playing the puck, there's certain things that we're going to do a bit differently with Woll in there instead of Stolarz."

Berube wasn't ready to reveal Stolarz's injury ahead of Game 2. But either way, Florida is going to come out hard, and the Maple Leafs, along with Woll, need to be ready.

"When you can rely on experience, you've been through it a little bit, you can get a little bit of a feel of what that's like. We've got all the faith in him," John Tavares said of Woll.

"He's always played tremendous hockey here for us over this season and in his time here. I know he's excited about getting the opportunity."