Anthony Stolarz Sets Franchise Record With Maple Leafs on the Verge of a First Round Sweep
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton - Imagn Images
Anthony Stolarz has been nothing short of sensational for the Maple Leafs as the hulking netminder set a franchise record in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
Entering their first round matchup against the Ottawa Senators, there were several talking points varying from Brady Tkachuk, to the Core 4, and the atmosphere of the Battle of Ontario.
Through the first 3 games, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had their ups and downs, they've had several close calls, and have gone to overtime twice, but with the team on the verge of a first round sweep, they can surely thank the play of Anthony Stolarz for allowing them to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The veteran netminder wasn't a foregone conclusion to even start in goal for Game 1 of the playoffs, but head coach Craig Berube felt his post-season experience would hold an advantage over Joseph Woll to begin the playoffs.
Stolarz was also white-hot coming in with an 8-0-0 record, .950 SV%, and had allowed just 11 goals during that stretch to go along with 3 shutouts.
Add in his play in the first three games of the playoffs and he's 11-0-0 with a .944 SV%, which is good enough for the franchise record for longest combined season/playoff winning streak.
On top of that historic feat, Stolarz is also the first goaltender in franchise history other than Ken Wregget to win his first 3 playoff games, which was set during the 1986 season.
The former Maple Leafs netminder talked about his record and what he's seen from Stolarz so far during his first season with the Blue and White, as reported by Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun.
"I was 6-foot-1 in the 1980s and considered big," Wregget told the Toronto Sun on Friday morning after watching Game 3. "He's 6-foot-6. But's he's moving well and playing great. From what I've heard about him as a person, this is a great moment for him, too."
He then reflected on his role with the Maple Leafs and felt it was somewhat comparable to Stolarz as he was a part-time starter who tried to do his best to keep the mood light and fresh on the bench.
"That gave me a lot of perspective. I see myself doing what Stolarz probably did for his team this year, as the part-time starter, helping on the bench, carrying sticks, drying equipment.
But watching Tom in net, the biggest thing for me was always making sure you were ready to play at a moment's notice. You never wanted to get thrown in and embarrass yourself."
But watching Tom in net, the biggest thing for me was always making sure you were ready to play at a moment's notice. You never wanted to get thrown in and embarrass yourself."
Unlike Wregget, Stolarz will look to make it 4 straight wins later tonight when the Maple Leafs face-off against the Ottawa Senators in a do-or-die game for the home team.
If he continues his stellar play in goal, the Maple Leafs should be in line to complete their first playoff sweep since 2001, which also came against Ottawa.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 26 | 2246 ANSWERS Anthony Stolarz Sets Franchise Record With Maple Leafs on the Verge of a First Round Sweep Do the Maple Leafs pull off the sweep tonight? | ||
| Yes | 882 | 39.3 % |
| No | 1364 | 60.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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