TORONTO — Three forceful shoves to the back, a sharp chop to the thigh, and a dismissive cold shoulder. Ridly Greig went down. Anthony Stolarz`s standing went up.
“I was just caught up in the heat of the battle,” Stolarz said, offering a mix of truth and playful deflection. “I didn`t even know who it was.”
It`s hard to believe that, just as it`s hard for observers of this Battle of Ontario series reboot to definitively name an MVP after two games. Stolarz has extended his personal win streak to a career-high 10 games, boasts a glittering .934 save percentage, decisively outplayed a recent Vezina Trophy winner, and stood his ground against Ottawa`s aggressive forwards around his crease.
“I wouldn`t go after Stollie if I was him,” smiled Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a teammate.
Indeed, one could argue that Greig shouldn`t have received a matching penalty on one of Game 2`s more memorable moments.
“The video speaks for itself. I didn`t see the roughing from Ridly,” Senators coach Travis Green commented. “Stolarz is a fiery guy.”
However, you can`t dispute the last part of the opposing coach`s statement from Wednesday.
“I`ve taken quite a few penalties in my day,” Stolarz admitted with a grin.
The 31-year-old, who has been instrumental in giving the Toronto Maple Leafs their first 2-0 playoff series lead in 23 years, has every right to feel proud. Since turning professional, he has played for eight different teams across five franchises and three leagues.
Yet, this marks his very first time starting in the NHL playoffs.
Before entering the post-season, Stolarz acknowledged he was “probably” playing the best hockey of his career, which has been marked by knee injuries. He also praised his teammates for blocking shots in front of him.
There`s no “probably” about it. Stolarz rebounded strongly from another mid-season knee surgery to finish the season with the best save percentage (.926) in the NHL, surpassing the eventual 2025 Vezina winner, Connor Hellebuyck. He also set career highs in appearances (34), wins (21), and shutouts (four).
Despite organizational depth charts and medical issues often labeling Stolarz as a “career backup,” he never lacked the belief to aim higher. He even earned a Stanley Cup ring last June in Florida while patiently serving as the backup to future Hall of Famer Sergei Bobrovsky.
“There`s never a doubt in my ability. I know that I`m one of the best in the world,” Stolarz stated upon signing a team-friendly, two-year free agent contract with the Maple Leafs in July.
Leafs GM Brad Treliving wisely recognized that Stolarz had often been behind elite starters in his previous stops. “There`s not a lot of net there, right? There wasn`t going to be a lot of starts,” Treliving said. “He`s big (six-foot-six, 243 pounds). He`s athletic. I think goaltenders, as we all know, they take some time to mature in their game. He`s done that.”
The Leafs offered Stolarz a 1A-1B opportunity alongside younger goalie Joseph Woll, and Stolarz seized the role of the primary starter down the stretch.
“Only one of us can play. And you want to get as many starts as you can. So, when my name is called, I want to go in there and seize the opportunity. But at the same time, too, when I`m not, I pride myself in being a good teammate,” Stolarz explained.
“It`s all about patience and making sure I`m ready for the opportunity. Last year, being able to be behind Bob to see how he conducted his day-to-day routine and what it took to prepare and sit next to him in the locker room and just speak to him — that went pretty far for me. So, I’m just trying to take all that experience from last year and roll it over.”
Is there any frustration that it took eight seasons to become the main goalie in the playoffs?
“Obviously, you want your opportunity. But at the end of the day, I’m playing in the NHL,” Stolarz responded. “I like to have fun out there. Like to enjoy the moment. This is what you live for.”
