The Toronto Maple Leafs have six games left in the season before the playoffs begin and are in a fight to win the Atlantic division.
This year has been different on a couple of fronts for the Toronto Maple Leafs. For one, they're actually fighting for the division but it is also still a heavy debate as to who is the starter for game one.
I can see both arguments as to why Stolarz or Woll should start but I think I've made my decision on who the game one starter is.
Before I explain why I think this goalie should start in game one, I do want to say regardless of who starts, I'm comfortable with both guys.
Joseph Woll is the Game One Starter
My pick is Joseph Woll.
Now I know Stolarz has been better this season. Stolarz has played 29 games this season posting a .919 save percentage, 15.56 goals saved above average and 21.29 goals saved above expected. Woll has played 39 games posting a .906 save percentage, 6.72 goals saved above average and 13.27 goals saved above expected (stats from Evolving-Hockey.com).
Those are undoubtedly better stats but where I lean is the playoff experience.
Both guys don't have much of a sample size in the playoffs. Woll has appeared in seven playoff games in his career and has played fantastic in all seven. In the combined seven games, Woll has a .933 save percentage, 3.45 goals saved above average and 5.12 goals saved above expected.
With Stolarz, he doesn't have a playoff start under his belt in his career. Last year in the Florida Cup run he was a part of, he appeared once in relief after Bobrovsky was pulled.
I think going with the guy who has been in high-pressure situations in the playoffs in the past is always the safer idea. I also do truly believe Woll at his best is a better goalie than Stolarz.
We have also seen Woll play behind diminished Leaf teams in the playoffs. He won both games five and six where the Leafs were missing Nylander and Matthews. They grinded out two wins in low-scoring affairs.
Woll is calm in his net, has great rebound control and moves great. Stolarz has put up good numbers but at times I get scared of his rebound control which I have found poor at times.
I'll have confidence in both guys but Woll does give me the most confidence. Right now he hasn't been the sharpest we've seen him play, but we know what he is capable of.
Regardless of who starts, I would keep both of them on a short leash. Neither guy has been a career starter so I'm confident both guys would be capable of coming into the series and performing well if needed.
The Leafs have had the best goaltending this season they've had in the Matthews era. I'm confident in both guys but I would lean with the experience of the homegrown Joseph Woll.