Craig Berube Clarifies Leafs Goaltending Rotation, Addressing No. 1 Goalie Debate
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is shedding light on his stance on his pair of goaltenders with the Stanley Cup Playoffs on the horizon.
This is going to be one of the most critical opening rounds of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Having advanced past the opening round on a single occasion since 2004 combined with the fact that two franchise players are playing on expiring contracts, major changes could be in store if Toronto doesn't go on a deep run.
They're hoping that new head coach Craig Berube has something to say about that, having hired him to bring a new era of accountability that they felt was missing under previous coach Sheldon Keefe.
They've been rolling with the tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz this year, the latter of which joined the Leafs from the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers over the summer.
Ahead of tonight's matchup against the Predators in Nashville (7:00 PM, Sportsnet), Berube clarified the rotation of Woll and Stolarz:
I love the rotation. Just don't feel like I want to get away from that - yet.
Both Woll and Stolarz have made back to back starts in recent games so perhaps Berube is gauging how they can handle back to backs come playoff time.
Who Will Start the Playoffs for the Maple Leafs?
Last year, it was now-former Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov who was tabbed the starter for the first 4 games of their opening round series against the divisional foe Boston Bruins.
However, Samsonov was pulled in Game 4 in favor of Joseph Woll, who proceeded to lead the Leafs to a pair of consecutive victories and force a decisive Game 7 back in Toronto.
The bad news was that Woll was hurt while attempting to make a last second save in Game 6 in Toronto, and wasn't able to dress for Game 7.
Samsonov started and despite a strong performance, he surrendered David Pastrnak's game-winning goal shortly into overtime to once again eliminate the Leafs.
Woll has been stellar recently, although Stolarz has those veteran chops that led him to so much success over the years. Currently, it looks like Woll is the de facto #1 come playoff time, however if Stolarz can pick up his recent struggles, then he'll be set to go and make an impact.
Toronto really can't go wrong with either one, but they should definitely ride the hot hand. Whoever that may be.
| POLL | ||
MARS 22 | 527 ANSWERS Craig Berube Clarifies Leafs Goaltending Rotation, Addressing No. 1 Goalie Debate Who should start the playoffs for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Joseph Woll | 172 | 32.6 % |
| Anthony Stolarz | 355 | 67.4 % |
| List of polls | ||