For the first time these playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a new starting goalie.
Anthony Stolarz was ruled out of Wednesday’s Game 2 against the Florida Panthers and will be replaced by Joseph Woll, head coach Craig Berube told reporters.
Veteran Matt Murray will serve as Woll’s backup.
Stolarz left Game 1 in the second period after taking a Sam Bennett forearm to the head and was seen vomiting on the bench during a break in action. He was later transported to the hospital but returned to the team Tuesday.
Bennett was not disciplined for the play.
Berube did not immediately rule Stolarz out when speaking with media on Tuesday, nor did he let on about the type of injury his goaltender may have suffered.
Stolarz, 31, had stolen the Toronto net in these playoffs, working all six games in the Maple Leafs’ Round 1 win over the Ottawa Senators. The former Panthers backstop posted a .901 save percentage and 2.22 goals-against average in the opening-round series win.
In the regular season, Stolarz appeared in 34 games for the Maple Leafs, finishing his debut year in the blue and white with a 21-8-3 record, .926 save percentage and 2.14 GAA.
He had made eight saves on nine shots before leaving on Monday.
Woll, 26, came on in relief and stopped 17 of 20 shots as the Maple Leafs held on for a 5-4 victory.
He won Games 5 and 6 of last spring’s first-round loss to the Boston Bruins, but was unable to go in the finale because of a back injury.
Woll played long stretches this season, including when Stolarz was out long-term with a knee issue. He also entered Toronto’s second-round defeat to Florida in 2023, winning Game 4 to stave off elimination before a 40-save performance in a 3-2 overtime loss that sent the Panthers to the Eastern Conference final.
Murray, 30, appeared in two games for the Maple Leafs this season, recording an .879 save percentage and 3.54 GAA. In 21 games with the AHL’s Marlies, Murray posted a .934 save percentage and 1.72 GAA.
Live coverage of Maple Leafs-Panthers Game 2 begins Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
–with files from The Canadian Press
