Maple Leafs suddenly get good news at morning skate, and there's a big surprise in net
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs saw three key players back at practice on Friday and in the starter's net there was a familiar face making a return as Anthony Stolarz is set to play.
After a fairly successful road trip, the Maple Leafs have struggled since coming home, losing two in a row and staring down the barrel of a rematch with Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights who have been on an absolute tear lately.
But they're getting reinforcements back as Friday's morning skate saw the return of both Brandon Carlo and Oliver Ekman-Larsson after they both suffered injuries vs. Detroit, with the latter needing to leave the game for good.
Anthony Stolarz expected to make first start in over two months
Though there's another key player who is set to make his return -- after 73 days nonetheless:
The Maple Leafs were placing Anthony Stolarz in the starter's net on Friday morning as he is expected to make his first start in over two months.
This was later confirmed by Craig Berube that Stolarz indeed will get the start on Friday:
It was part of a flurry of roster information to go along with defenseman Henry Thrun recalled from the Toronto Marlies (AHL) as insurance in case Carlo and OEL can't go.
It's going to be a much different look as well with practice switching the second and third lines though as we know with Craig Berube; that can change at any moment.
But taking a look at the lines, there really isn't too much different in terms of personnel minus the returning injured players -- just where they are on the depth chart:
McMann - Matthews - Domi
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Maccelli - Tavares - Knies
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
Cowan - Roy - Robertson
Maccelli - Tavares - Knies
Lorentz - Laughton - Jarnkrok
McCabe - OEL
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Stecher
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Stecher
Stolarz
Woll
Woll
Toronto is still without William Nylander as he navigates a groin injury, and Chris Tanev's status for the season still remains a question mark.
Toronto's reinforcements come at the perfect time
But the biggest news undoubtedly is Stolarz's return. There were reports previous that not only would he not come back until February, it wasn't expected to be until after the Olympic break.
The short conditioning stint with the Marlies must have given Stolarz enough confidence in his health and readiness and right now the team will need him to be his old self.
Stolarz has posted a 6-5-1 record with a 3.51 GAA and .884 SV% this season before going down with a nerve issue that slowly healed and kept him on the shelf since November.
It's a great sign that not only did Toronto avoid the worst with Carlo and OEL, but Stolarz returning way ahead of schedule could be a huge boost especially with Joseph Woll and Dennis HIldeby struggling.
Plus, if Stolarz can find a way to put in a strong performance and stay healthy when doing it?
He could be a huge part of landing Toronto their coveted defenseman they've been searching for.
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