‘Watch My Back, And I’ll Behave’: Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Won’t Be Pushed Around, Stands Tall As Maple Leafs Push Senators To Brink

In Game 3, Senators forward Shane Pinto swatted the puck away from him following a scrum to end the second period. Stolarz laughed it off – a perfect example of the confidence and composure he’s playing with right now.

“I just stay out of it. I kind of talked to the refs a little bit tonight and just said, ‘Watch my back, and I’ll behave.’ Like I said, they’re going to try to come to the net. They got some big guys. It’s just up to me to fight through traffic, find that puck and smother it,” said Stolarz post-game.

It’s not the first time he’s been involved in altercations this series. 

In Game 2, he and Ridly Greig had a briefing in front of the net, both earning minor penalties – Stolarz for interference and Greig for roughing. In Game 1, Greig crashed into the crease and collided hard with Stolarz, who, luckily for the Leafs, wasn’t injured.

Despite the shenanigans, Stolarz has been red-hot and remained perfect in the series.

The 6-foot-6 netminder stopped 18 of 20 shots, finishing with a .900 save percentage in Game 3, now a winner of his last 11 straight contests. Heading into Thursday’s matchup, he was 10-0-0 in his last 10 starts with a notable 1.48 goals-against average, a .947 save percentage, and three shutouts.

“He’s been incredible, making the stops that we need him to. He’s a brick wall back there, so it’s nice to have him there,” said teammate Matthew Knies after the win.

And it’s true, Stolarz kept the Leafs competitive for moments of the game. 

His presence was felt early as the Senators threw everything at the Leafs in the opening frame, but the 31-year-old shut the door when needed. With the game still scoreless, he made a crucial stop on Tim Stutzle before later shutting down Dylan Cozens on a breakaway when the Senators led 1-0.

The Leafs, meanwhile, have rallied off eight consecutive wins, building momentum at the best possible time. But the job’s not done yet as Game 4 goes Saturday in Ottawa — and the Leafs know better than anybody that the fourth win is always the hardest.

“That fourth game is always the hardest. Tonight was a hard-fought battle, and for us to come out on top is huge,” said Stolarz. We put ourselves in a good position, but we can’t be complacent. Just get ready for Game 4 here.”