Stolarz made 38 saves on 39 shots in front of about 40 friends and family in attendance.
The Toronto Maple Leafs were unanimous in crediting one person for their 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.
“Stolie,” Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev said. “I think, obviously, without him, it’s not even close. Big props to him.”
Anthony Stolarz, playing in his home state, showcased his skill as Toronto’s 1A option in goal. No longer a backup, and possibly the team’s starter, the ongoing debate between him and Joseph Woll hasn’t hindered either from delivering strong performances. Stolarz, a Jackson, New Jersey native and lifelong Devils fan, had arguably his best game of the season, stopping 38 of 39 shots, including eight in the game’s opening five minutes.
“I probably had 40 friends and family, so I’m going to go try to see everyone right now,” Stolarz said after the game. “It’s always exciting to play here. They’re my biggest supporters, and people have been with me since day one. To be able to share this experience of playing in the NHL with them and have them come out and just see the smiles on their faces, win or lose, it just means a lot to me and it means a lot to them as well.”
Stolarz made several difficult saves, none bigger than in the third period when he stopped Devils forward Stefan Noesen, who collided with him in front of the net during New Jersey’s league-leading power play. The save gave the Leafs a chance to turn the momentum. Connor Dewar outraced New Jersey’s Dawson Mercer to the net, allowing Pontus Holmberg to score the tying goal by shooting past Jacob Markstrom.
“It goes back to the intensity and competitiveness. I mean, they were kind of cutting through the crease a little bit, and my head was getting dinged up,” Stolarz said. “I had a nice little conversation with the ref, and he was saying that he saw it. We had an open line of communication. He said he got pushed in on the one, so it’s just about battling and kind of not giving up on the play. But as a goalie, I like to think that I can be a little physical, too, and kind of get in the other team’s kitchen, and we make a couple stops.
“We get a couple blocks, and Pontus goes down and ties the game, so obviously I like to think that there was a little bit of a momentum swing and kind of get our guys going.”
Stolarz improved his record to 9-5-2, boasting a .928 save percentage, the second-best in the NHL among goaltenders with at least eight games played this season. While he posted a shutout earlier in the season, Tuesday’s performance and his 26-save Leafs debut in a 1-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens stand out as his finest games. Ironically, Stolarz starting the season opener in Montreal, due to Woll’s unexpected injury, kept him from playing the following night in New Jersey.
The wait, however, made his return all the more rewarding.
“It must be that New Jersey water. It’s definitely exciting,” Stolarz said.
Auston Matthews scored the game-winning goal and was just impressed with how far Toronto's goaltending has come during his tenure.
"I think it was pretty evident early on in training camp before the season and practice. He's a pretty hard guy to score on just with how much the net he takes up. But I didn't realize just how athletic he is," Matthews said of Stolarz. "Nothing really seems to get to him. I think both our goalies are extremely mentally strong as well as physically. So it's a great combination to have. And obviously, with his size it's only a positive."
