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Report: Anthony Stolarz leaves Game 1 on stretcher with head injury

Originally posted on 6IX ON ICE | By Anthony William | Last updated May 6, 2025 2:43 AM ET

Round 2 has begun between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers with Game 1 at Scotiabank Arena. However, it’s already getting nasty.

Stolarz left Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher

Maple Leafs’ starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz left the game with an apparent head injury in the second period:

Bennett catches Stolarz in the head pic.twitter.com/AorFonA398
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) May 6, 2025

Joseph Woll came in for relief for Stolarz, and played the rest of the game, stopping 17 of 20 shots. To make matters worse, Stolarz left the game on the stretcher during the third period:

Anthony Stolarz was taken out of Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher during the third period of tonight's game, per sources.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 6, 2025

A rough start to Round 2

It is unclear what will come from Stolarz’s injury. But the signs are not looking good. At this point, all we can do is wish a speedy and safe recovery for Stolarz.

Update: Anthony Stolarz likely suffered a first #comcussion 5 minutes into the game when he took a puck to face that knocked his mask off.
25 seconds after the hit he did a SHAAKE (Spontaneous Headshake after a Kinematic Event) which predicts concussion 72% of the time. https://t.co/HfiBmJSnKV pic.twitter.com/M8DFcAtWyB
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) May 6, 2025

It is also unclear if Sam Bennett will receive supplementary discipline for his hit on Stolarz. No penalty was called on the play, and Bennett was not made available for a post-game interview.

Stolarz had a league-leading .926 SV% during the regular season. Stolarz stopped eight out of nine Panthers shots before leaving the game. If Stolarz is out long-term, this could be a pivotal moment in the series.

This article first appeared on 6IX ON ICE and was syndicated with permission.

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