Leafs’ Anthony Stolarz hospitalized after taking puck to throat during warmups
The Toronto Maple Leafs‘ star-crossed season won’t seem to end.
The team has announced that goaltender Anthony Stolarz suffered an injury during warmups ahead of Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators after taking a puck to his throat. Stolarz has been taken to the hospital to get precautionary imaging.
Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz left warmups tonight in Ottawa after taking a puck to the throat and has been taken to hospital for precautionary imaging. An update will be provided when available.
Joseph Woll, who was initially slated to be the backup goalie, was forced into the starting role following Stolarz’s pre-game injury.
Stolarz, 32, has battled through a difficult, injury-plagued season. In 21 starts and 22 appearances, the Edison, New Jersey native has an 8-9-3 record with a .894 save percentage and a 3.34 goals-against average. He missed significant time earlier this season with a nerve issue.
Coming off a breakout campaign for the Florida Panthers in the 2023-24 season, in which he led the NHL with a .925 SV%, Toronto signed Stolarz as an unrestricted free agent in July of 2024. He rewarded the Leafs with stellar play last season, putting up a 21-8-3 record with a league-leading .926 SV% and a 2.14 GAA. In seven postseason starts, he went 4-2 with a .902 SV% and a 2.19 GAA.
The Leafs signed Stolarz to a four-year, $15 million contract extension just prior to this season.
Toronto has had more than their fair share of injuries this season. Captain Auston Matthews and defenseman Chris Tanev are out for the year, and they’ve dealt with the absences of players such as William Nylander, Brandon Carlo, and Scott Laughton throughout the season.
With 71 points through 70 games, the Leafs currently sit in last place in the Atlantic Division, 13 points behind the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
After Saturday’s game against the Senators, Toronto will visit the Boston Bruins on Tuesday before returning home to host the New York Rangers on Wednesday.