Anthony Stolarz was thrust into action as the team’s starting goaltender for the season opener against the Montreal Canadiens and was nearly unbeatable during the 1-0 loss. Cole Caufield scored the game’s lone goal during the first period on the power play, but Stolarz wasn’t at fault and it was an excellent performance in a losing effort.
Stolarz’s first game with the Maple Leafs drew praise from his new captain post-game.
“I thought he was our best player tonight,” Auston Matthews said of Stolarz post-game via The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke.
Matthews was largely impressed by Stolarz throughout training camp and provided his assessment of the towering goaltender via TSN’s Mark Masters prior to Wednesday’s contest.
“He definitely takes up a lot of the net,” Matthews said of Stolarz. “It’s pretty noticeable coming down and shooting on him. He’s pretty good at reading the play, I find. When you think you have the opening he’s kind of baiting you to shoot it there. He’s a really smart goalie.”
Stolarz made 26 saves and kept the Maple Leafs in the contest, when the Canadiens surged forward during the opening 30 minutes with a barrage of shots and high-danger chances that were turned away.
Joseph Woll was the presumed starter Wednesday morning but Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube reported that Joseph Woll would not play due to precautionary reasons, but maintained the possibility that he could play Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. It was later reported — first by PuckPedia — that Woll was moved to injured reserve, where he will miss a minimum of three games and is eligible to return October 16 against the Los Angeles Kings.
Stolarz may be back in the net Thursday night as emergency callup Dennis Hildeby has yet to make an NHL start. Hildeby is considered one of the organization’s top prospects and one of the ascending goaltending talents in the NHL. Perhaps Stolarz won’t be required to be Toronto’s best player on the second night of a road back-to-back.
