Leafs Confirm Starting Goaltender Versus Flyers Amid Struggles for Stolarz, Primeau

After an offseason filled with uncertainty and change, it's undoubtedly been a disorderly start for Anthony Stolarz and the Maple Leafs. However, on Saturday, they will be leaning on him once again against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Through his first eight games, Stolarz holds an .886 save percentage and a 3.27 GAA, but those numbers that don't tell the full story of how chaotic things have been in front of him.

Stolarz brings a calm presence between the pipes, something Toronto has been wanting for a while. But, frustration for the veteran goalie has already crept in.

While no one's pinning the Leafs' early struggles squarely on Stolarz, the workload has been heavy. He's started eight of Toronto's first eleven games -- a tough ask for any goaltender in October.

With Joseph Woll still sidelined, the Leafs have have no choice but to ride Stolarz with the odd start from waiver pick up Cayden Primeau, hoping he can help hold the line until Woll returns. Primeau's numbers are abysmal at best this season.

At 5-5-1, this isn't where Leafs Nation thought the team would be. They look disconnected at times, struggling to generate consistent offense and have struggled to close out tight games.

All the talk to start the year regarding the Maple Leafs being a "harder out" seems to have gone by the wayside. But, with Craig Berube's calmer demeanor and demanding style still settling in, there's a sense this group could turn it around.

For now, Stolarz gets the crease again, and with it, another chance to give the Leafs something to build on. He's been calm through the noise, steady through the losses, and that might be exactly what Toronto needs to start climbing out of their early-season funk.