Leafs’ Stolarz Pulled After Four Goals Allowed Against Bruins
Anthony Stolarz had a difficult outing on Saturday for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was pulled after conceding four goals on 19 shots over a period and a half in the game against the Boston Bruins, which ended in a 5-3 loss.
This marked the first time Stolarz was pulled for reasons unrelated to injury during his time with the Maple Leafs.
Stolarz Reflects on His Performance
“It’s obviously not up to par,” Stolarz said after the game. “I mean, it seems like every night I’m giving up one or two you want back but, for me, it’s life of a goalie. Have to put it behind you & focus on the next game.”
He was particularly critical of his start, adding:
“First & foremost I gotta bear down & make a save. Giving up the first two shots not a good way to start the game.”
Relief Goalie Dennis Hildeby’s Debut
Dennis Hildeby made his season debut, stepping in relief after Stolarz was pulled. Hildeby allowed one goal on 20 shots over 32 minutes and 30 seconds.
“He was awesome,” Stolarz remarked about Hildeby. “I put him in a s--t situation. He handled it like a true pro.”
Stolarz’s Recent Performance Struggles
Stolarz has not matched the strong form he showed during his first season with the Leafs last year. In the 2024-25 season, he posted a 2.14 goals-against average and a league-leading .926 save percentage across a career-high 34 games.
Summary: Stolarz faced challenges against the Bruins, leading to a rare early pull, but praised his relief’s performance while acknowledging the need to recover and improve.