It didn’t take long for Sam Bennett to become public enemy No. 1 in Toronto. It only took 7 minutes and 26 seconds of the second period before Bennett was at it again, landing on those suspect hits he’s practically known for at this point. In 2023 it was Matthew Knies at the end of one. In 2024, Brad Marchand. And now in 2025, it’s Anthony Stolarz‘s turn, with Bennett’s stray arm catching him in the head, forcing him out of the game and into the hospital. But as game 2 approaches, it looks like the Leafs are in for some disappointment on the Stolarz front.

Soon after going down, Stolarz was seen vomiting on the bench, leading many to believe he’d sustained a concussion. Bennett claimed there wasn’t much to the hit: “There wasn’t a lot of force,” he said. But concussion experts begged to differ. “The amount of force delivered to the brain was, I would say, gigantic, because Stolarz’s head really did move dramatically to the right. Vomiting after a head hit of that magnitude is at least a concussion,” said Charles Tator, a neurosurgeon from Toronto.

But the good news was that Stolarz had been discharged from the hospital and was back with the team, “doing well,” as per coach Craig Berube. But the bad, or rather disappointing, news was that he wouldn’t be back in the crease for Game 2. As reported by Bleacher Report Open Ice on X, “Joseph Woll is occupying the starter’s net at Maple Leafs morning skate, where Anthony Stolarz is not present. Matt Murray and Dennis Hildeby are also on the ice for Toronto.”

Although his return to the team suggests his injury isn’t as bad as initially anticipated, this move comes as a precautionary measure. And now, for the first time in the playoffs, the Maple Leafs have a new starting goaltender. Losing Stolarz is certainly a blow, what with him having the third-best GAA (2.17) and eighth-best SV% (.901) amongst all goalies in the playoffs.

That said, he has a more than capable deputy in Joseph Woll. After being tossed into Game 1 with little time for preparation, Woll stopped 17 of 20 shots and helped the Leafs cling to a 5-4 victory. “You go from kind of chilling to being in the front line of action,” Woll said postgame. “I’ve been trying to do my best and stay prepared and be ready for moments like this.”

Meanwhile, Bennett got away after his elbow hit Stolarz’s head. Neither did he receive a penalty in the game, nor did he get any supplemental punishment from the NHL for his actions. Nonetheless, after the game, Bennett dismissed any “ill intent” on hitting Stolarz, saying, “I’m just taking a puck to the net. I didn’t even know that we made contact until after. And I’m on the power play. I’m trying to score. I’m taking the puck to the net. That’s really all there was to it.” 

Furthermore, there is suspense over Stolarz’s fitness, as he has been left out of the second game of the tie. Amid this, the Maple Leafs coach, Craig Berube, had a four-word message.

Maple Leafs coach opens up about Anthony Stolarz’s recovery

Berube was visibly frustrated after Bennett’s elbow hit Stolarz on the head. What made matters worse was the fact that the Panthers’ star escaped any punishment for his actions. Ahead of the second game of the tie, Berube was asked about Stolarz’s recovery during an interview.

With many fans concerned after Stolarz was taken to the hospital, the Maple Leafs coach gave an assuring statement to the media, saying, “He’s fine, he’s recovering.” Although the Maple Leafs coach maintained that Stolarz was doing well, he didn’t provide any timeline for his comeback.

Meanwhile, Berube has already drawn up plans on how to tackle Bennett in the upcoming games. Ahead of Game 2, he revealed, “Play hard & physical. They do what they do. Again, that’s up to the refs & the league. We’re going to be disciplined … You go out & think you’re going to get back at Bennett & you end up in the penalty box & we don’t need that.”

With like-for-like tactics on display, it’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top in this enthralling contest. On the other hand, Stolarz would hope to recover soon and get back in shape in time for the upcoming games.