Needing a win desperately on Saturday night, the Maple Leafs are turning to their best chance in net as Anthony Stolarz looks to get the start against Edmonton.
Losers of five straight at home and on the brink of losing their season in mid-November, the Maple Leafs are needing a win badly. They are in tough against the Edmonton Oilers - the NHL's second best team - who have revenge on their minds.
After getting demolished 7-2 earlier this season, the Oilers are coming into Toronto with a chip on their shoulder, and the fact that they are facing off against a struggling Maple Leafs side should give them a boatload of confidence.
Jim Hiller entrusts Anthony Stolarz on Saturday night
Which is why the Leafs need to counterattack with at least the right goalie in order to give themselves a fighting chance, and it seems like Jim Hiller is actually trying to do the same this time around.
According to Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun, Sergei Bobrovsky was seen skating during the team's optional skate on Saturday morning, a pretty good indication that Anthony Stolarz is set to start against Edmonton while Bobrovsky serves as backup:
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Hiller later confirmed that Stolarz will indeed start against the Oilers:
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Stolarz's last start came against Minnesota on Thursday and it's the first time this season that he will start in back-to-back games.
Hiller is at least putting his best statistical goalie out there tonight, and he's also looking for some vengeance after a tough game against the Wild.
He holds a 5-3-0 record with a 2.90 GAA and .900 SV%, but has been without a doubt the better goalie between him and Bobrovsky. It's likely then that Bobrovsky will play against Chicago on Tuesday - a game that could rekindle his confidence.
Maple Leafs need to win, but also need to worry about what's to come
If the Maple Leafs can manage a win somehow against Edmonton on Saturday night, it will at least buy Hiller some time to figure out a plan going forward when it comes to his crease.
A strong Stolarz could push him into the starter role, but how much is John Chayka and the other front office people going to be in his ear about starting their prized $21-million free agent?
There's a balance that needs to be achieved and right now, Chayka has to focus on winning games, not trying to micromanage - especially for a coach he trusts so much. There's still 50 games left of Bobrovsky this year and two more years after that.
If this is what we can expect, then it's going to be a long few years. But for now, the goal is to focus on winning against Edmonton on Saturday night and Stolarz at least gives them their best chance - in net at least.
Do you think Anthony Stolarz should be the starting goalie for the Maple Leafs going forward?
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