Stolarz misses Game 2 after Bennett hit
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz will not participate in Game 2 of their second-round matchup against the Florida Panthers this Wednesday.
Stolarz received an elbow from Sam Bennett in the first game.
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube confirmed Stolarz’s absence after the goalie did not participate in the morning skate. Joseph Woll is set to make his first playoff start, with Matt Murray backing him up.
Stolarz, after receiving the blow to the head, vomited on the bench and was stretchered off the Scotiabank Arena on Monday night to be evaluated at a hospital. However, he returned to the training facilities on Tuesday, generating some optimism about his availability as the Maple Leafs seek to take a 2-0 lead in the series.
In addition to being shot in the mask at the beginning of Game 1, Stolarz was knocked to the ice in the second period by Bennett, but remained in the game for a few minutes. He eventually retired after feeling unwell during a television timeout.
Our team must remain disciplined and not seek retribution against Bennett, which could result in power play opportunities for the Panthers.
Craig Berube
Berube also mentioned that his team must avoid retaliation against Bennett, as this could result in advantages for the Panthers. Bennett denied any “malice” in the hit against his former teammate.
The NHL will not impose any further sanctions on Bennett for the hit.
Stolarz, in his first season with the Maple Leafs, is a regular starter in the playoffs for the first time in his career. Last season he was with the Panthers, as a backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, while Florida advanced towards its first Stanley Cup in the history of the franchise. He is one of three players on the Maple Leafs in this roster who were with the Panthers last season, along with Steven Lorentz and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Woll stopped 17 of 20 shots in relief during Game 1. The 26-year-old won Games 5 and 6 of last season’s first-round defeat to the Boston Bruins, but missed Game 7 due to a back injury.
