The Toronto Maple Leafs look set to win the Atlantic Division as they head into the 2025 NHL playoffs. While the team appears to be humming on all cylinders, there’s a significant question hanging over the team like a storm cloud: “Who will be the starting goaltender in the playoffs?”
There are two answers to this question. Let’s start with the easy one first.
The easiest answer is to continue rolling out Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll on a tandem basis. That sort of approach is uncommon in the playoffs as virtually all Stanley Cup winners ride one goalie from start to finish.
Last season, Sergei Bobrovsky played every minute of the Florida Panthers’ playoff run. Stolarz, Bobrovsky’s backup, got a front-row seat to playoff history.
This season, Stolarz will have an even better seat for what could be the biggest NHL storyline in the last 50 years. Similarly, Joseph Woll is poised to play a significant role between the pipes. Woll will share the load with Stolarz, giving the Leafs two solid netminders.
The biggest advantage of this approach is keeping both goalies fresh. As a result, the Leafs can be certain that neither goalie could face fatigue as the playoffs wear on. Moreover, a tandem reduces the likelihood that either goalie becomes injured from playing significant minutes.
While maintaining the tandem system is the likeliest course of action, there could be another plan the Toronto Maple Leafs may consider.
Toronto Maple Leafs could ride hot hand in 2025 NHL playoffs
The other answer to the question is riding the hot hand. This approach is complex as determining who’s playing better largely depends on the trends of the last few games. If we look at a surface-level analysis, Anthony Stolarz should get the nod for Game 1.
Stolarz is coming off a 5-0 blanking of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but that outing doesn’t take away from the great season Joseph Woll has had. Woll is 25-13-1 this season with a 2-78 GAA and a .906 SV%. Those solid numbers overshadow two relatively shaky outings against the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators.
As for Stolarz, he’s 18-8-3 with a 2.26 GAA and a .922 SV%. Stolarz’s numbers look equally solid compared to Woll’s though an argument could be made that Stolarz has had a better season. As such, the next two games will likely determine who gets the call in Game 1.
Woll likely faces the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at the Amerant Bank Arena, while Stolarz gets the call on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amelie Arena. Hopefully, both goalies have great games, prompting Craig Berube to flip a coin to determine who starts Game 1, likely, against the Ottawa Senators.