Goalie Controversy in Toronto Seemingly Over as a Starter Has Emerged for the Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs are coming off of a thrilling 5-3 victory over a heated divisional rival, the Tampa Bay Lightning, on Saturday to welcome backteam captain Auston Matthews, who had missed nearly a month due to injury.

Joseph Woll was outstanding in the win and has been exceptional since returning from injury. Woll posted 38 saves and a .927 save percentage in the victory.

Woll has started four of the last six games for the Maple Leafs and is now 5-0 in his last five starts. His strong play has led to strong speculation that he may have won over the coaching staff and reclaimed the starting job from Anthony Stolarz.

Both Woll and Stolarz have been excellent this season, ranking right up there among the league's top goalies. However, Woll's recent play may have solidified his spot at the top of the pecking order.

That said, it's not out of the question that Stolarz could reclaim the crease, especially considering the fact that he held the starting job earlier this season, even after Woll was healthy.

Stolarz, who won the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers last season as a backup, is no stranger to battling for his starts. When Woll went down to start the season, Stolarz stepped up, and it was hard to imagine he would relinquish the net with the way he had been playing.

Having two excellent goaltenders is a luxury few teams have, and it's one the Maple Leafs are now fortunate enough to be able to enjoy. They also happen to have some pretty solid goalies in the American Hockey League, as Matt Murray, Artur Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby are all excelling in the roles with the Marlies.

This kind of goalie depth is exactly what a team needs to succeed in the playoffs. If both Woll and Stolarz can maintain their stellar performances, it will be a huge asset for the Leafs the rest of the way.