Injury Update on Anthony Stolarz

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz was hospitalized after a puck struck him in the throat during warm-ups ahead of a game against the Ottawa Senators. This incident occurred as Stolarz participated in Saturday’s warm-up routine, and he was subsequently removed from the ice for precautionary reasons.

Coaches and staff took him to the hospital where he underwent imaging tests before being discharged later on. There was no update available on his condition from head coach Craig Berube after the Maple Leafs suffered a 5-2 defeat to the Senators. However, he did express hope that Stolarz would be able to rejoin the team for their flight back to Toronto.

The moment the injury took place was caught by Sportsnet, showing a scene that initially appeared normal for warm-up. But for Stolarz, it turned into a precarious situation, as he quickly exited the net and made his way to the team’s tunnel before leaving the arena.

William Nylander, the player who inadvertently shot the puck that hit Stolarz, later reflected on the unfortunate event. “It’s really hard to see that happening,” he shared. “I usually just come in and put the puck in my glove, but this time it went a bit left and caught him in the neck. I was really worried about him, but I’ve been in touch, and he seems to be okay.”

Meanwhile, Joseph Woll, who stepped in for Stolarz, struggled somewhat, letting in five goals during the match. Stolarz, a 32-year-old goaltender from New Jersey, maintains a record of 8-9-3 this season along with an .894 save percentage over 22 games. This year marks his second with the Maple Leafs, following a stint as a backup for Sergei Bobrovsky with the Florida Panthers in 2024, during which he was part of their Stanley Cup-winning team.

Despite facing challenges this season, including a knee surgery that limited his appearances, Stolarz secured a four-year, $15 million contract with the Maple Leafs last September. Unfortunately, he has dealt with ongoing injury issues this year, missing 33 games due to an upper-body injury earlier in the season.

Overall, it’s been a challenging time for the Maple Leafs, who find themselves at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with 71 points. With 11 games left in the season, they remain hopeful for positive outcomes ahead.