Anthony Stolarz has solidified his grip as the Toronto Maple Leafs starter
The Leafs free-agent signing has taken full advantage of his early-season opportunity.
Anthony Stolarz continues to impress in the net for the Toronto Maple Leafs. His performance against the Boston Bruins was perhaps his finest outing since suiting up for the blue and white.
Stolarz made 29 saves to earn his first shutout with the Toronto Maple Leafs in an important victory over their Atlantic Division nemesis. It was the latest in a series of strong outings for the Leafs new goaltender.
Incumbent Joseph Woll's lower-body injury before the season opener against the Montreal Canadians opened the door for Stolarz to seize the starting job.
That opening was the opportunity Stolarz was looking for when he signed in Toronto.
Thanks to Stolarz's play, questions surrounding the Leafs' goaltending situation have been put aside.
It has left no doubt that he deserves an extended run as the Maple Leafs starting goaltender.
Anthony Stolarz deserves a run as the Toronto Maple Leafs starting goaltender
Stolarz's play so far this season makes his two-year deal, with a $2.5 million AAV, look like a steal. His numbers are off-the-charts; a dazzling .928 save-percentage, and a goals-saved-above-average of 7.8. (Stats courtesy of hockeyreference.com)
More important has been the timing of his many saves. Against the Bruins, with the Leafs holding a 2-0 lead midway through the game, Stolarz made a hightlight reel pad save to deny Justin Brazeau.
In the first period of the same game, with the score 0-0, Stolarz made crucial saves that denied the Bruins from scoring the all-important first goal. In both situations, his key saves kept Boston from shifting the momentum.
In the team's prior game versus the Minnesota Wild, Stolarz was the player most responsible for the the Maple Leafs earning a point in the 2-1 overtime loss. That game was the second of a back-to-back.
A stagnant offense and tired legs in the third period saw the Leafs get outshot 11-5. Stolarz helped nurse them to overtime and gain an important point on the road.
Stolarz envisioned increased playing time when he signed with Toronto. He saw the chance to shake the label of "career backup". With Woll's injury history and similar career high in games played, Stolarz, at worst, could see playing 35-40 games with the Leafs.
He is already well on his way to hitting that mark, starting nine of the Maple Leafs first fourteen games. Woll has returned and is easing his way back to routine. Leafs management now has the open competition they hoped for; two capable goalies challenging each other.
The excitement of Stolarz's start to the Toronto Maple Leafs season should be kept in check (remember, Ilya Samsonov, Jack Campbell, and Frederik Andersen had their share of dazzling, but fleeting moments). Yet, he has earned the right to be the team's starting goaltender.