Craig Berube says Anthony Stolarz is doing well, status for Game 2 unknown

The news comes following an incident in Game 1 of the second round against the Florida Panthers, in which Panthers forward Sam Bennett clipped Stolarz’s head while trying to chase a puck in his crease. This came after the first shot of the game, a hard wrister from Florida’s Sam Reinhart, hit the goaltender in the mask and popped it off. Stolarz appeared shaken up following the Bennett incident, but stayed in the game for two minutes before he left in favour of Joseph Woll. It was revealed after the game that he was sick on the bench and left Scotiabank Arena in an ambulance while the third period was going on.

Defenceman Brandon Carlo echoed Berube’s sentiments, saying that Stolarz appeared to be doing well at the team’s breakfast.

While Berube remained tight-lipped about whether Stolarz might be ready, he has faith in Woll should the Leafs have to pivot for Game 2.

It was also announced Tuesday morning that Bennett would not be receiving any supplemental discipline for his role in the incident, but in an immediate follow-up, the good news that Stolarz was discharged from hospital was revealed. Head injuries are no joke and the Leafs are no doubt will be happy to learn that he’s okay despite the incident.

Stolarz emerged as the clear-cut 1A in the Leafs’ tandem this season, finishing the regular season with a record of 21-8-3 complemented by a 2.14 goals-against average (GAA) and a .926 save percentage (SV%) in 34 games. He entered the second round of the playoffs with a GAA of 2.21 and a SV% of .901 in six games against the Ottawa Senators in Round 1.

Woll, meanwhile, did about as much as you could ask from a 1B in a tandem like this, going 27-14-1 in the regular season with a GAA of 2.73 and a SV% of .909. He was a little bit shaky in relief for Stolarz in Game 1, but that’s to be expected considering his lack of game action in the past three weeks. He was excellent in two playoff games for the Leafs last season, stopping 52 of 54 shots in Games 5 and 6 against Boston, so whether or not he can handle the moment isn’t a question.

Game 2 is set for Wednesday night in Toronto. Puckdrop is at 7 pm EST.