The Toronto Maple Leafs might be celebrating their narrow 5-4 win over the Florida Panthers in Game 1, but the price of that playoff victory could be steep. Starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz left the game after suffering two dangerous blows to the head, leaving both the team and fans unsure about his availability for Game 2.
Two brutal hits leave Anthony Stolarz shaken and stretchered from the arena
The incident unfolded in two parts. First, Anthony Stolarz took a fierce shot to the mask from Sam Reinhart in the first period—a blow so intense, it knocked his helmet off. But things escalated further during a chaotic moment in the second period.
As Stolarz attempted to control the puck during a scrappy net-front scramble, Panthers forward Sam Bennett drove an elbow into the back of his head. Around the 7:20 mark, the Leafs were leading 3-1, but concern quickly overtook celebration.
Despite trying to push through, Stolarz’s condition visibly worsened. He eventually vomited on the bench and was helped off the ice by medical staff. He was later stretchered out of Scotiabank Arena and taken directly to the hospital.
The good news? Stolarz has since been discharged from the hospital and was seen at the team facility on Tuesday. Leafs head coach Craig Berube offered a cautious update, stating, “We’ll see. I don’t know that yet,” when asked if Stolarz would start Game 2. On the topic of a possible concussion, Berube added, “Don’t know that either.”
Meanwhile, teammate Brandon Carlo shared a small moment of optimism, saying the goalie was “cracking a smile in the morning.”
Also Read: Sam Bennett under fire: How much could the Panthers star be fined for brutal hit on Anthony Stolarz?
With Stolarz’s condition unclear, the Leafs may need to rely on Joseph Woll again. The 26-year-old backup made 17 saves on 20 shots after coming in cold Monday night. His regular-season stats—2.73 GAA and .909 save percentage over 42 games—are solid, but the playoff pressure is a different beast, especially against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Two brutal hits leave Anthony Stolarz shaken and stretchered from the arena
The incident unfolded in two parts. First, Anthony Stolarz took a fierce shot to the mask from Sam Reinhart in the first period—a blow so intense, it knocked his helmet off. But things escalated further during a chaotic moment in the second period.
As Stolarz attempted to control the puck during a scrappy net-front scramble, Panthers forward Sam Bennett drove an elbow into the back of his head. Around the 7:20 mark, the Leafs were leading 3-1, but concern quickly overtook celebration.
🚨 A current update on Anthony Stolarz following last night and this morning’s media availability:
— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) May 6, 2025
🔹 Stolarz DID go to the hospital last night, but he’s out and doing OK.
🔹 He was AT the Leafs’ breakfast this morning and had a smile on his face, according to teammates.
🔹 More… pic.twitter.com/F6BJSVKLQ0
Despite trying to push through, Stolarz’s condition visibly worsened. He eventually vomited on the bench and was helped off the ice by medical staff. He was later stretchered out of Scotiabank Arena and taken directly to the hospital.
The good news? Stolarz has since been discharged from the hospital and was seen at the team facility on Tuesday. Leafs head coach Craig Berube offered a cautious update, stating, “We’ll see. I don’t know that yet,” when asked if Stolarz would start Game 2. On the topic of a possible concussion, Berube added, “Don’t know that either.”
Meanwhile, teammate Brandon Carlo shared a small moment of optimism, saying the goalie was “cracking a smile in the morning.”
Also Read: Sam Bennett under fire: How much could the Panthers star be fined for brutal hit on Anthony Stolarz?
With Stolarz’s condition unclear, the Leafs may need to rely on Joseph Woll again. The 26-year-old backup made 17 saves on 20 shots after coming in cold Monday night. His regular-season stats—2.73 GAA and .909 save percentage over 42 games—are solid, but the playoff pressure is a different beast, especially against the defending Stanley Cup champions.
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