Maple Leafs Lose Starting Goalie Stolarz for 4-6 Weeks

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without their starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz for 4-6 weeks after it was revealed he needs a knee procedure. Stolarz suffered the injury during the first period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

Loose Body in Knee Requires Surgery

An MRI scan revealed no structural damage, but a “loose body” was found behind Stolarz’s knee that hindered his ability to fully straighten his leg. General Manager Brad Treliving compared the loose body to a “little pebble.”  Stolarz will undergo a procedure in New York on Wednesday to remove the problem.   

Stolarz Was Having a Stellar Season

This is a significant blow to the Maple Leafs as Stolarz was enjoying a strong season. He had a record of 9-5-2 with a 2.15 goals-against average and a .927 save percentage in 17 games.  Treliving expressed confidence in the team’s goaltending depth, mentioning Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby as options to fill the void while Stolarz recovers.   

Maple Leafs Look to Depth to Overcome Goaltending Challenge

Woll has played well in his appearances this season, boasting an 8-4-0 record with a 2.24 goals-against average and .918 save percentage. Hildeby has also seen action, winning two games and posting a 3.68 goals-against average and .875 save percentage. The Maple Leafs face a stretch with several back-to-back games in the coming weeks, so their goaltending depth will be tested. Both Coach Craig Berube and Treliving expressed confidence in Woll and Hildeby’s ability to step up in Stolarz’s absence.

 By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer