Toronto’s crease conundrum: Woll’s lower-body issue prompts Stolarz to take the reins
As the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare to kick off their 2024-25 campaign against the Montreal Canadiens, a familiar concern has resurfaced: the health of starting goaltender Joseph Woll. The 26-year-old netminder is dealing with lower-body tightness, prompting Coach Craig Berube to tap Anthony Stolarz as the starter for the season opener.
Woll’s injury history is well-documented, having missed significant time last season with a high-ankle sprain. Despite this, he posted respectable numbers, going 12-11-1 with a 2.94 goals-against average and.907 save percentage. However, his availability for Thursday’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils remains uncertain.
Berube is taking a cautious approach, citing the decision to sit Woll as “precautionary.” In the meantime, rookie Dennis Hildeby has been recalled from the American Hockey League on an emergency basis to serve as Stolarz’s backup.
Stolarz, who recently hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, brings a wealth of experience and a towering presence to the crease. His impressive stats behind Panthers starter Sergei Bobrovsky (16-7-2, 2.03 GAA,.925 SV%) have instilled confidence in the Maple Leafs’ brass. Captain Auston Matthews praised Stolarz’s ability to read the play, saying, “He’s pretty good at baiting you to shoot it there. He’s a really smart goalie.”
With Woll’s status uncertain, Stolarz is poised to take on the starting role, and the Maple Leafs are banking on his skills to guide them through this early-season hurdle.
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