The NHL playoffs really ramp up the pressure, don’t they? So, the current Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, who took over for Anthony Stolarz after his injury, has been having a bit of a tough time lately. Do you remember what the coach said after Round 2, Game 3? “I thought he was really good. I don’t love the fourth goal. But other than that, I thought he was solid,” Craig Berube mentioned.

That statement definitely had a hint of disappointment in it. Berube talked about how the team is performing and the increasing pressure they’re facing. He recognized Woll’s performance overall but pointed out that mistakes, particularly towards the end of a playoff game, can really change the momentum at such a crucial time.

So, recently, Woll had something to say about those comments. As reported by Sportsnet, he mentioned, “You just shake it off. Bounces go both ways, and that’s hockey. So, just reset. Did the same thing as I always do and just came out on the wrong side.” The goaltender really seemed to get how unpredictable playoff hockey can be and emphasized the importance of keeping a strong mindset, even when things don’t go as planned.

Honestly, both have a point in their own way. As Florida takes the lead in the series, the Maple Leafs really need to pull themselves together fast. They’ve got to find a way to meet Berube’s call for better execution while also channeling the resilience that Woll is aiming for under the playoff spotlight. What does the goalie’s number look like?

In the first three games of the series, Woll has faced 84 shots and made 73 saves. That gives him a save percentage of .869 and a goals-against average of 3.99. So, how does this compare to Stolarz?

The Maple Leafs will be looking forward to his return

Anthony Stolarz, who’s the starting goaltender for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been out of action since Game 1 of the second-round playoff series against the Florida Panthers because of a head injury. So, there was this incident where Stolarz got hit in the head by an elbow from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. This led to him leaving the game and eventually needing to go to the hospital. Stolarz hasn’t started skating again, and it’s still unclear when he’ll be back to playing.

Before he got injured, Stolarz was a key player in the Maple Leafs’ playoff journey. In more than seven playoff games, he ended up with a 4-2-0 record, boasting a 2.19 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. He really played a crucial role in Toronto’s success during the first round against the Ottawa Senators, finishing with a .901 save percentage. On the flip side, Joseph Woll has stepped into the starting role mid-series against the Florida Panthers, and he’s definitely had a tougher time of it.

Woll definitely showed some grit, even stepping up to help grab that Game 2 win. But when you look at the higher GAA and lower save percentage, it seems like he’s been having a tougher time handling Florida’s strong offense. In the end, Stolarz’s steady and effective playoff performance really laid a solid groundwork for Toronto. Meanwhile, Woll is facing some tough challenges, trying to keep up that same level of consistency as the pressure of the series ramps up.