As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for Game 4 against the Florida Panthers on Sunday, there remains uncertainty regarding Anthony Stolarz`s status.
Head coach Craig Berube provided an update on Saturday morning, after Toronto`s 5-4 overtime loss in Game 3. He stated that the goaltender is progressing from the injury sustained in the second-round series opener but has not yet resumed skating.
Stolarz exited the Maple Leafs` Game 1 victory on Monday during the second period, following an elbow to the head from Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett. This hit, from his former Florida teammate, occurred after the netminder had already been struck in the mask by a shot earlier in the game.
The 31-year-old returned to the locker room shortly after Bennett`s hit, notably vomiting on the bench beforehand, and was later transported to a local hospital for evaluation.
The NHL Department of Player Safety did not issue any discipline to Bennett for the incident.
While Stolarz did rejoin his teammates for practice on Tuesday morning, he did not travel with the team to Florida for Games 3 and 4.
The former Stanley Cup champion had provided a stable presence in net for Toronto, recording a 2.19 goals-against average (GAA), a .901 save percentage, and a 4-2 record over his seven playoff appearances this season.
Joseph Woll has taken over as the Maple Leafs` starting goaltender in Stolarz`s absence. The 26-year-old has a 2-1 record in those three games (including two starts), with a 2.51 GAA and a .910 save percentage.
It seems highly probable that Toronto will need to secure a 3-1 series lead over Florida on Sunday without Stolarz. Game 4 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT.
