Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz leaves in second period of Game 1

Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) loses his mask after a shot knocked it off during the first period of Toronto's second-round NHL playoff game against the Florida Panthers in Toronto on Monday, May 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

TORONTO — Toronto goaltender Anthony Stolarz left Monday's second-round series opener against the Florida Panthers due to injury in the second period and did not return.

Joseph Woll replaced Stolarz with 9:46 remaining in the second period and Toronto ahead 4-1. The Maple Leafs went on to win 5-4.

The Maple Leafs would only say that Stolarz was "being evaluated."

Stolarz took an elbow to the back of the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett shortly before his departure.

Television replays appeared to show the Toronto netminder vomiting into a bucket by the team bench a short time later. Bennett was not made available to speak to reporters after the game.

"Obviously we know him really well," Florida forward Aleksander Barkov said of his former teammate. "He's played really well the whole year and (I'm) happy for him. So hopefully he's OK, but we're concentrating on our game."

Stolarz played all six games in Toronto's first-round series win over Ottawa, posting a 2.21 goals-against average and .901 save percentage.

He stopped eight of nine shots before his departure. Woll made 17 saves in relief.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2025.

The Canadian Press