Maple Leafs Make Difficult Goaltending Decision Following Pair of Wins Over the Weekend
The Toronto Maple Leafs had a difficult decision to make about who to start against Ottawa on Tuesday, but the decision appears to have been made.
This past weekend, both Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll put up spectacular performances in their respective starts against the Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens, helping to extend the Leafs' winning streak to 3 games.
The Leafs will conclude a 4-game homestand tonight against the Ottawa Senators, but while both goaltenders deserve the opportunity to get right back into the crease, it appears as though Anthony Stolarz will get the nod.
According to The Hockey News' David Alter, Stolarz was going through his regular starting routine on Tuesday morning at the Leafs' optional skate.
Through 10 starts thus far this season, Stolarz has amassed a 6-2-2 record with a rock solid 2.00 GAA and a sensational .930 SV%. Simply put, he's given his team a chance to win every single game he has started.
What this also means is that Joseph Woll is in line to start Wednesday's game against the 10-4-0 Washington Capitals tomorrow night in Washington in the second half of the Leafs' back-to-back.
Due to an unfortunate pre-season injury, Woll got off to a late start this season, appearing in just 4 games thus far. His .905 SV% isn't nearly as impressive on paper as Stolarz's .930 SV%, but his 2.27 GAA tells a much more flattering story of his season to date, and if he can stay healthy, he's only going to get better.
The Leafs having two goalies who can step in and make a difference on any given night is a wonderful problem to have. Hopefully both netminders are up to the task tonight and tomorrow, and can stretch the Leafs' current winning streak to 5 games.
