The air in Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena was thick with disappointment Wednesday night as boos echoed at the final horn. The Maple Leafs, staring down a 6-1 blowout loss to the Florida Panthers, inched closer to extending their 57-year Stanley Cup drought. Now, with Game 6 looming in Florida, the Leafs face a do-or-die moment—and the latest update on their goaltending situation isn’t helping ease fans’ nerves.

Anthony Stolarz has shown signs of progress, skating on his own and working with some Toronto Marlies call-ups Thursday morning. But with Berube’s latest comments, it’s clear he’s nowhere near ready to return for Friday’s must-win game. His absence leaves a gaping hole in a series where goaltending has been a rollercoaster.

Maple Leafs Head coach Craig Berube dropped a gut punch during Thursday’s media session when asked if goaltender Anthony Stolarz would join the team for the critical matchup. “I doubt it,” Berube said, his tone far from hopeful. Stolarz, a key piece in Toronto’s net, hasn’t played since Game 1 of the Round 2 after a scary incident. Early in the series opener, Stolarz took a puck to the mask, and later, a collision with Panthers forward Sam Bennett left him dazed. The 31-year-old NHL goalie was stretchered off the ice and rushed to a nearby hospital for evaluation. While the Leafs haven’t disclosed the specifics of his injury, the sight of their goalie leaving the arena like that lingers in fans’ minds.

Since Stolarz went down, Joseph Woll has taken over as the starter. Woll delivered in Games 1 and 2, securing wins and keeping the Maple Leafs competitive. He held his own in Games 3 and 4, too, despite Florida tying the series. But Game 5 was a nightmare. The Panthers steamrolled Toronto, and Woll struggled as the defending champs poured in six goals. The lopsided loss has sparked chatter about whether Berube might shake things up in the net. Could veteran Matt Murray get the nod for Game 6? Or might the Leafs take a chance on young Dennis Hildeby? No answers yet, but the uncertainty is palpable.

As Toronto heads to Florida, the weight of their Cup drought looms large. With Stolarz likely sidelined and Woll coming off a rough outing, the Leafs’ hopes hang by a thread. Game 6 is more than a must-win—it’s a test of whether this team can rally when the odds, and the updates, keep stacking against them. This is making the fans anxious.

The Maple Leafs fans show disappointment over Anthony Stolarz not being available for the must-win

The Toronto Maple Leafs are staring down a must-win Game 6 in Florida, and fans are reeling over the news that starting goaltender Anthony Stolarz is unlikely to suit up. Sidelined since Game 1 after taking brutal hits from Florida’s Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett, Stolarz has been battling what appears to be a concussion. One fan commented, “He’s concussed. Why would he be travelling?” The blows in Game 1—one to the chin and an accidental headshot—sent Stolarz to the hospital after he vomited on the bench. Despite skating over the weekend and logging a 30-minute workout on Thursday, head coach Craig Berube expressed doubts about Stolarz joining the team for the pivotal matchup.

With Stolarz out, Joseph Woll has been holding the fort, but his performance in Game 5—allowing five goals on 25 shots—left fans restless. “Even tho I don’t think Woll has been bad, your starter who’s been on a tear going out after a 2-0 series lead is just the Leafs Luck,” one fan said. Another was less optimistic: “Then they are officially done unless Murray starts instead of Woll. You cannot keep putting Woll in net and expect different results.” The frustration is palpable, especially after Stolarz’s solid .901 save percentage in the playoffs’ first round had sparked hope.

“Seriously? Man… Was really hoping Stolarz would come to the rescue. Him getting hurt was probably the xfactor in this series,” another fan lamented. The Leafs, now trailing after squandering a 2-0 series lead, held a players-only meeting post-Game 5 to dissect their collapse. Berube also planned a team meeting Thursday in Fort Lauderdale to rally the group. But with Stolarz’s absence looming large, fans are bracing for the worst. “Series is done,” one sighed, summing up the grim mood. Can the Leafs defy the odds without their starter, or is this another chapter of “Leafs Luck”?

As Game 6 approaches, the Maple Leafs face an uphill battle on enemy ice without their key goaltender. While the team’s meetings signal a resolve to regroup, the fans’ dwindling hope reflects the stakes. Whether Woll or Murray steps up, Toronto will need more than luck to force a Game 7 back home. For now, the Leafs Nation holds its breath, hoping for a miracle to keep their playoff dreams alive.