Ex-Panthers Goaltender Shares Surprising Take on Which Goalie the Leafs Should Roll With
Photo credit: Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated
Former NHL goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck made a surprising statement when asked who he believes should start Game 1 of the playoffs for the Maple Leafs.
Anthony Stolarz made a number of key saves, particularly in overtime on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning to help secure an important victory for the Leafs.
The win propelled Stolarz to a 6-0 record over his last six starts, including one shutout and may have given him an edge over Joseph Woll as to who starts Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Sticking to the plan during the final stretch, Leafs head coach Craig Berube has continued to alternate starts between his goaltenders to do his best to keep them fresh for the playoffs.
Many believe the Stanley Cup Champion Stolarz should start Game 1, but former NHL goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck is one of the few that doesn't.
Vanbiesbrouck was on 'Leafs Morning Take' earlier in the week, and when asked who he would start in Game 1, he gave a surprising answer and reasoning.
"Anthony Stolarz is one of the premier second goalies in the NHL. There's nobody that can come off the bench like him... Is he the guy you should start? If you're asking me, I would say no...
I think with Joseph Woll and the emergence of his game... Joe's got a really strong head and he battles hard from the get-go and you have to hope he gets hot... I believe Joe will be the starter for Game 1."
I think with Joseph Woll and the emergence of his game... Joe's got a really strong head and he battles hard from the get-go and you have to hope he gets hot... I believe Joe will be the starter for Game 1."
Vanbiesbrouck's comments come as a bit of a surprise, given how well Stolarz has played to close out the season. It's not to say that Woll has played poorly. In fact, both have played extremely well. Stolarz, however, has just been the better of the two down the stretch.
With a week to go and four games remaining in the regular season, it will be on the Leafs' duo to battle it out and make Craig Berube's decision either very easy or very difficult.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 11 | 2618 ANSWERS Ex-Panthers Goaltender Shares Surprising Take on Which Goalie the Leafs Should Roll With Who should start Game 1 for the Leafs? | ||
| Woll | 260 | 9.9 % |
| Stolarz | 2358 | 90.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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