Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz makes a save against Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett during the opening game of their second-round NHL playoff series.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
The officials might not have seen how Anthony Stolarz was injured Monday night but Craig Berube, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ coach, had a clear view from the bench.
“It was an elbow to the head,” Berube, a tough guy in a lengthy NHL playing career, said. “It was as clear as day.”
Stolarz was on all fours after making a stop about midway through the second period when he was struck by Florida’s Sam Bennett.
Stolarz was immediately replaced by backup Joseph Woll with 9:46 to go and the Maple Leafs holding a 4-1 lead. Woll stopped 17 of 20 shots the rest of the way and Toronto won 5-4 in the opening game of the second-round playoff series at Scotiabank Arena.
Stolarz became physically ill on the bench and spent the rest of the game in the dressing room with an apparent head injury.
“He is still being evaluated,” Berube said.
No penalty was called on the play.
“I’m not sure why there wasn’t a call on it,” Berube said. “They miss calls sometimes. It was a penalty.”
Asked if he thought the NHL’s disciplinary group would consider taking action against Bennett, Berube deferred.
“That is not up to me,” the coach said. “It’s up to the league. They will do whatever they think is necessary.”
Near the end of his post-game appearance, Berube remained adamant.
“I know it’s an elbow,” he said.
Stolarz, who led all NHL goalies with a .927 save percentage during the regular season, stopped eight of nine shots before he was injured.
According to NHL statisticians, Game 1 was the fourth time in franchise history that the Maple Leafs won a postseason game with two goalies appearing in the contest. The others: Game 1 of the 1977 quarterfinals, Game 2 of the 1971 quarterfinals and Game 5 of the 1967 semifinals.
Woll, who went 27-14 during the regular season, said he tries to prepare for such a moment.
“I didn’t like what I saw, of course,” Woll said. “When you see a teammate go down like that it’s not nice.”
It is uncertain if Stolarz will be available for Game 2 in Toronto on Wednesday.
“He’s been our rock through the whole year,” Chris Tanev, the Toronto defenceman, said.
If Stolarz is unavailable, Woll will take over the net.
“It’s no shock to the guys in our locker room how Joe can step in and get us a win.”