Highly Concerning Update on Maple Leafs Goalie Anthony Stolarz Emerges

On the first shot he faced in Game 1, Anthony Stolarz took a puck to the head, knocking his mask loose. The shot left him a little shaken up. He seemed fine after a few moments, however, and remained in the game until the second period.

Midway through that second period with the Panthers on a power play, Sam Bennett attempted to drive the puck towards the net from the goal line, and in doing so, he delivered a stiff forearm to the head of Stolarz that sent him to the ice in clear distress.

The former second-round pick remained in the game for a few minutes until a TV timeout, when he began throwing up at the Leafs' bench. It was then that he was removed from the game and replaced by Joseph Woll.

At the time, many had suspected that his sudden illness may have been due to a concussion.

Following the game, former Leaf Jay Rosehill reported that the Stanley Cup Champion was taken out of the building on a stretcher and brought to the hospital, causing a significant amount of concern amongst Leafs Nation. That report was later confirmed by TSN's Chris Johnston.

When it was first discussed in the second intermission and after the game by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, he hinted that the Department of Player Safety may get involved and introduce some sort of supplemental discipline to Bennett due to Stolarz suffering an injury. His thoughts were echoed on 'X' by TSN's Jermain Franklin.

Whether the DOPS gets involved remains to be seen, but a decision will likely be made at some point on Tuesday, given that the two teams are slated to play Game 2 on Wednesday night.