Maple Leafs Confirm Starting Goaltender in First Half of Back-to-Back on Monday
The Leafs welcome the Lightning to Toronto tonight in their first game of a back-to-back, and have announced their starting goaltender versus Tampa Bay.
After temporarily making Leafs fans and the organization itself nervous after appearing to suffer an injury in the third period of the Leafs' 4-1 loss to the New York Rangers Saturday, Anthony Stolarz is set to start his fourth straight game on Monday and fifth in the Leafs' first six games of the season.
As Joseph Woll recovers from a groin injury, suffered before the start of the season, Stolarz has proven he is more than capable of handling a heavier workload. Having not started more than 24 games in a season over his career, Stolarz is well on his way to eclipsing that mark and has put up outstanding numbers so far. Through four games, the 30-year-old is 2-2-0, but has posted a ridiculous .937 save percentage and 1.79 GAA.
Although many were skeptical about the signing of the Stanley Cup Champion to a two-year deal that pays him $2.5M per season, fans have not felt this comfortable with the team's goaltending situation in years, thanks to his play and the play of rookie Dennis Hildeby.
With the Leafs heading to Columbus tomorrow to take on the Blue Jackets, Stolarz will likely get tomorrow night off in favour of Joseph Woll, who is expected to make his return to the lineup this week. If Woll can't go, Hildeby will get the nod, and while he has only played one NHL game, it was a solid performance, resulting in a win for the Leafs against the New Jersey Devils, who boast a ton of offensive firepower.
Given the fact that the Leafs play four games this week, with games against the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins on Thursday and Saturday, we could see all of Stolarz, Hildeby and Woll get some work in this week, depending on the Woll situation and if the team will allow him an extra couple of days on IR to continue to practice and get more reps in.
Interestingly enough, I don't think anyone in Toronto is worried about goaltending anymore. Great feeling, isn't it?
