Can Anthony Stolarz solve the Goaltending Woes of the Toronto Maple Leafs?

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ history of goaltending reveals a collage of inconsistency and heartache that has derailed several promising playoff runs. This season, however, the goaltending department has had a new focus: Anthony Stolarz. Very little postseason credentialing, along with a backup's résumé, was deemed favorable for a player to lead a franchise under the weight of a 57-year-old Stanley Cup drought. However, with the performances he has put up for the current 2025 playoffs, one pertinent question arises: Will Stolarz finally be the dependable goaltender Toronto has needed now for so many years?

Anthony Stolarz arrived in Toronto after a low-profile backup role to Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida, with his only playoff memory being of mop-up duty during the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. With the Maple Leafs bending Ilya Samsonov, they saw Stolarz as a candidate to partner with and perhaps mentor Joseph Woll. A two-year contract was penned, becoming a low-risk scenario that could now pay off disproportionately.

Stolarz quickly established himself as a calming presence with a 21-8-3 regular-season record and an impressive .926 save percentage. His presence was truly missed during a stretch of 23 games recovering from knee surgery, where the team wobbled in form. Upon his return, he steadied the ship and led them toward postseason readiness.
As of the ongoing playoff series against Ottawa, Stolarz has been the fulcrum of Toronto's performance. Having gone through three overtime games so far, where he won two, he has been able to rise to the occasion in such moments. When juxtaposed with goaltenders past, especially in the case of James Campbell and Elijah Samsonov-type netminders, whose errors during the crunch time of the playoffs proved fatal to the Leafs, Stolarz's stability appears to be the greatest contrast.

The last couple of games have not done him any favors, though. Stolarz put up an .810 save percentage in Game 4 and a .882 in Game 5, numbers that hint at possible fatigue or a shift in momentum. With that being said, with Stolarz's overall playoff numbers of 3-2, .899 SV%, and 2.25 GAA, Toronto is still in contention.
Stolarz's edge, passion, and tenacity are certainly there, as shown by the moment he had with Riddell Greig in Game 2. His teammates appreciate this grit and recognize him as a competitor and a leader. His fierce presence in front of the net and refusal to be intimidated are signs of a new breed of Maple Leafs goaltender.
Also Read: Anthony Stolarz Stands Tall: Big saves and bigger hits fuel Leafs’ playoff win over Senators
In simple terms, Anthony Stolarz has not simply stopped pucks but has turned the conventional goaltending story of Toronto on its head. Thus, should he maintain it throughout Game 6, perhaps the Maple Leafs will turn the page on all the last years of harried existence.