Win Over Habs More Significant for Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz Than Originally Thought

With the playoffs looming, the Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up home ice for Round 1, but have not yet secured their first ever Atlantic Division title.

If the Leafs defeat the Carolina Hurricanes in any fashion tonight, and if the Tampa Bay Lightning are limited to 1 point or less against Buffalo, that will effectively lock up the division title. If the Leafs do finish atop the Atlantic Division, the recent play of Anthony Stolarz will be a big reason why.

Last night's win over the Canadiens was actually a milestone moment for Stolarz, as it marked his 7th consecutive win. According to Sportsnet's Luke Fox, that is a career high for the veteran goaltender.

Over his 7-game winning streak, Stolarz has amassed a .942 SV%, an impressive 1.57 GAA and has posted 2 shutouts. That brings his season-long record to 20-8-3, with a 2.21 GAA and a .923 SV%.

At this point, barring injury, Stolarz has almost assuredly locked up the starting job for the Leafs for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While Leafs coach Craig Berube has suggested that he may be open to the idea of discussing a goalie rotation in the post-season, his original idea was to roll with one guy in the playoffs. Stolarz's performance during the latter part of March and throughout the month of April thus far has really allowed him to separate himself in the race.

The Leafs have just 3 games remaining on the schedule, beginning tonight in Carolina against the Hurricanes. Joseph Woll will be in net for this one, but it shouldn't surprise anyone if we see Anthony Stolarz get one or both of the final two games of the season against Buffalo on April 15th or Detroit of April 17th.