Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll to start Game 2 versus Panthers

Joseph Woll is expected to start in goal Wednesday when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Atlantic Division rival Florida Panthers in Game 2 of their second round series of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The change between the pipes comes after starter Anthony Stolarz left midway through the second period of Game 1 after being bumped in the crease by Panthers forward Sam Bennett. Reports indicated that Stolarz later left the Maple Leafs’ home rink on a stretcher and was taken to a local hospital for observation.

On Tuesday, it was announced that Bennett, who was not penalized on the play, would not face supplemental discipline as a result of his contact with Stolarz. Earlier Wednesday, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube confirmed there is no established timeline for Stolarz’s return, per Sportsnet’s Luke Fox.

Through seven appearances this postseason, Stolarz has found the win column on four occasions coupled with a .901 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average.

Wednesday will mark Woll’s second showing these playoffs after he entered in relief Monday in which he turned aside 17 of 20 shots en route to a 5-4 victory and a one-game series lead for the Maple Leafs.

On the season, Woll saw 42 appearances with the Maple Leafs in which he went 27-14-1 with a .909 save percentage, 2.73 goals-against average, and one shutout. Originally chosen by Toronto in the third round of the 2016 NHL Draft, the 26-year-old Missouri native has since spent part of four seasons with the Maple Leafs in which he has posted a 49-27-2 career mark with a .910 save percentage, 2.77 goals-against average, and two shutouts.

Woll enters Wednesday’s contest with eight prior playoff appearances in which he has picked up four wins and registered a .924 save percentage and 2.12 goals-against average.

With Stolarz sidelined, veteran netminder Matt Murphy will back up Woll on Wednesday.