Joseph Woll steps in as Maple Leafs, Panthers enter best-of-3 showdown
TORONTO – Stanley Cup Playoffs 2025 – Round 2 Coverage – The Toronto Maple Leafs will continue their Eastern Conference Second Round series against the Florida Panthers without their starting goaltender, Anthony Stolarz, for Game 5 Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena.
Coach Craig Berube confirmed Tuesday that Stolarz remains sidelined due to an upper-body injury sustained in Game 1, despite showing signs of progress during the Leafs’ optional skate.
“He’s doing much better,” Berube said. “He was on the ice today, working through drills. But no, he’s not ready yet.”
The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, as the Leafs aim to reclaim momentum on home ice.
Stolarz’s Status Murky; Woll Gets the Net
Stolarz, who posted a 2.19 GAA and .901 save percentage in seven playoff games before the injury, worked lightly with goalie coach Curtis Sanford, taking shots and performing agility drills. However, Berube offered no timeline for his return during this series.
Joseph Woll, who took over mid-game in Toronto’s Game 1 win, will once again start in net. Despite some inconsistency, Woll has grown into the role, delivering a standout 35-save performance in Game 4, despite the Leafs falling 2-0.
“I feel prepared,” Woll said. “The last few years have helped me build confidence for moments like this. Even when you’re not playing, you’ve got to stay ready.”
Woll’s playoff stats stand at 2-2, with a 3.51 GAA and .893 save percentage, but his upward trend in Game 4 provides hope for Leafs fans—and bettors eyeing Game 5.
Leafs Need Stability Between the Pipes as Series Tightens
The Leafs’ goaltending situation will be critical as the series tightens into a best-of-3, with both teams showing they can win on the road.
While the Leafs are dealing with key absences—Stolarz and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (illness)—the team’s depth, particularly in net, will be under the microscope heading into Wednesday’s pivotal matchup.
Side Note: Leafs forward Max Domi has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for boarding Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov during Game 4 of the teams’ Second Round series in Florida on Sunday, May 11, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced. The incident occurred at 19:52 of the third period. Domi was assessed a major penalty for boarding.
The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
For fans in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario, where many follow the Leafs passionately, Toronto’s ability to overcome adversity and lean on emerging stars like Woll will be a key storyline to watch.
