Anthony Stolarz will not return vs. Ducks with lower-body injury

Stolarz started Thursday’s contest and did not return for the second period. Joseph Woll took over for Stolarz.

It’s unclear when Stolarz suffered the injury at the time of this filing. Toronto held a 2-1 lead entering the first intermission. Stolarz made seven saves during the first period, allowing a goal from Frank Vatrano on the power play.

It would be a crushing loss for the Maple Leafs if Stolarz misses any time at all. Stolarz has emerged as a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate and entered Thursday’s game with a league-best .928 save percentage. Stolarz’s partnership with Woll has arguably been one of the defining storylines of the NHL calendar and is a primary reason why the Maple Leafs are a leading contender despite several injuries to their forward corps. If Stolarz misses any time, the Maple Leafs will likely recall Dennis Hildeby from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

“In the last few years, Boston with Swayman and Ullmark have been really good,” Maple Leafs forward John Tavares said after Thursday’s morning skate. “And just how much more both goalies play. I remember when (Miikka) Kiprusoff would play 60-plus games, almost 70 games, (Henrik) Lundqvist and whatnot. Now you see how important it is to have two guys, even three guys, over my time here, having a definite position. It’s great how they’re feeding off one another and what they’re providing for us. It goes a long way in our success.”

Stolarz signed a two-year deal worth $5 million with the Maple Leafs in the offseason after winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, operating as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup.

The Leafs Nation will update this story as more details emerge.