Maple Leafs Coach Addresses Anthony Stolarz's Injury Scare After Hit to Head

The incident unfolded when Dauphin drove the crease and snapped Stolarz’s head back, earning a goaltender interference penalty.

It was a scenario similar to last postseason, when Stolarz was knocked out of the second round of the playoffs after a headshot from Sam Bennett left him vomiting on the bench and sidelined for the rest of the playoffs.

Stolarz is coming off a career-best season, posting a league-best .926 save percentage, a 2.14 goals-against average, and completing four shutouts in 34 appearances, 33 of them starting.

The Leafs know Stolarz’s availability is critical this season following Joseph Woll's leave of absence and undetermined return timeline. Toronto is expected to count heavily on the 31-year-old to carry a starter’s workload.

Stolarz himself downplayed the injury scare, noting goalies have to brace for drives to the net and saying he's accustomed to it.

“It’s something you kinda get used to,” Stolarz said. “As a goalie, you know how to brace yourself and what to expect. So, he’s just driving the net trying to make a hard play. He runs into me, and we get a power play out of it.”

Speaking about his long-term future in Toronto, Stolarz avoided discussing details about the contract talks he and the Maple Leafs are having. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and ESPN's Keevin Weekes, however reported the figures and term of the deal-in-the-works on Sunday afternoon.