Leafs’ Stolarz says nerve issue kept him out, still ‘couple more practices’ away from return
Updates surrounding Anthony Stolarz’s health have been limited – until Friday.
During a media availability at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday, Stolarz told the media that a nerve issue is what has kept him out of playing action since
Anthony Stolarz said it was a nerve issue that kept him out. Feels good, thinks it’ll be a “couple more practices” before he’s ready to be back
Nov. 11. His last full game came against the Utah Mammoth on Nov. 5, with Stolarz getting pulled in each of his next two games against the Boston Bruins. Stolarz said he’s still a “couple more practices” away from getting back into game action.
In the 13 games Stolarz has played this season, the American-born goaltender has a 6-5-1 record with a .884 save percentage and a 3.51 goals-against average. While those are admittedly poor numbers, the Leafs are hoping Stolarz finds his form from last season when he returns. In 33 starts last season, the Edison, New Jersey native put up a 21-8-3 record with a league-best .926 SV% and a 2.14 GAA. He even garnered one second-place vote for the Vezina Trophy.
The Leafs have used five goaltenders this season, with Joseph Woll leading the charge with an 11-4-3 record through 19 outings. Dennis Hildeby has served as the team’s backup, going 4-6-4 with a save percentage of .911. Cayden Primeau and Artur Akhtyamov have also seen game action, with Primeau eventually getting claimed on waivers by the Carolina Hurricanes. Akhtyamov, meanwhile, is set to represent the Toronto Marlies in the AHL All-Star Game next month.
The Leafs currently hold a record of 23-16-8 with 54 points, which is good for sixth in the Atlantic Division and two points back of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. Toronto will take on the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday to close out the team’s road trip before kicking off a four-game home-stand next week against the Minnesota Wild on Monday.