It was Game 1 between the Panthers and the Maple Leafs. Like many had expected, it turned out to be an eventful encounter as the Canadian side emerged triumphant at the closing stages of the game. However, there was one particular incident that became a talking point after the match. It was Panthers’ Sam Bennett’s hit on Anthony Stolarz that left the goaltender in a bad state. Subsequently, he suffered a nasty injury and remained sidelined thereafter. However, ahead of Game 5, it looks like there might be some good news in the Maple Leafs’ camp.

During the game, Bennett’s elbow hit Stolarz so hard on the head that he fell on the ice and was taken out of the game. Subsequently, he also vomited on the bench and was taken to a hospital for checkups, after which many speculated he was suffering from a concussion. Although he looked unlikely to make a comeback in this series, Stolarz was seen on the ice ahead of the Leafs’ practice session earlier today. This might just be the boost that the Maple Leafs were looking for after a disappointing run of two losses in a row to Florida.

Although the Maple Leafs’ coach, Craig Berube, admitted that Stolarz was progressing in the right direction, he was unlikely to return in the series against the Panthers. Additionally, NHL journalists Joshua Kloke and Chris Johnston also reported, “The likelihood of [Toronto’s] starting goaltender returning this series still feels low. The fact that Stolarz has not even begun skating casts doubt over his return this series. Game 4 is Sunday night.”

However, there was a welcome surprise for the Maple Leafs, who are reeling from two consecutive losses. With the series leveled at 2-2, Stolarz’s appearance on the ice could just be the boost that the team would have wanted to make a strong comeback. Meanwhile, Panthers’ Sam Bennett escaped any punishment for his hit on Stolarz. After the game, he made an honest confession about his clash with the Maple Leafs’ goaltender.

Sam Bennett dismisses any ill intent in clash with Anthony Stolarz

Hockey can be brutal, isn’t it? Well, Stolarz would surely agree with it. He bore the brunt of the eventful clash with Bennett in Game 1 of the second-round series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Although Bennett inflicted a horrific injury on the Maple Leafs’ goaltender, he didn’t do it on purpose, and it occurred in the flow of the game.

During an interview, he said, “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. I can understand why people react [the way they have]. Because Stolly is injured. When your starting goalie gets injured, people are going to be upset. Looking back at the video, the contact that was made was, in my opinion, it’s really just a bump.”

Despite his appearance on the ice today, it remains to be seen if Stolarz is able to make a comeback in the series. However, for now, the Maple Leafs would have to do without their star goaltender in their comeback quest.