What Happened
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller announced that Anthony Stolarz will start Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks on Rogers Saturday Night Hockey. Hiller said the club had planned to use Stolarz in this game regardless. The decision follows a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken in which starter Sergei Bobrovsky drew criticism for some of the goals he allowed.
Key Details
- Stolarz is 4-1-0 with a .907 save percentage this season.
- Bobrovsky, 38, is 3-5-2 with an .885 save percentage in his first season with Toronto.
- Hiller said the plan to start Stolarz against Vancouver was set in advance.
- The game is Saturday at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
- Bobrovsky said after the Seattle game that he feels good and confident.
What It Means
The start gives Toronto a look at Stolarz, whose 4-1-0 record contrasts with Bobrovsky's 3-5-2 mark early in his first season with the club. Hiller framed the decision as scheduled rather than a reaction to the Seattle loss, but it comes as Bobrovsky's .885 save percentage draws attention.
What's Next
Stolarz's performance against Vancouver will be his first action since the plan was confirmed. Toronto's goaltending usage beyond Saturday has not been announced.