Anthony Stolarz was not expected to be the main story in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He came in as a backup goalie with very little playoff experience, but has now become one of the biggest reasons the Leafs are still alive in the first round.
Last season, Stolarz was with the Florida Panthers and only appeared once in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. It was a short and forgettable relief appearance when the Panthers were already losing 5-1 to the Oilers. He barely got noticed in the celebration. But that short experience may have prepared him mentally for what was to come in Toronto.
Now? He’s the main character in Toronto’s plot to finally end its 57-year Stanley Cup drought. And if this were a Netflix series, we’d be yelling at our screens, “Give this man another season!”
In free agency, the Maple Leafs gave him a two-year, $5 million contract. Many fans saw him as a steady backup option, someone who could support young Joseph Woll. However, Stolarz played well during the regular season. He posted a 21-8-3 record, with a .926 save percentage and a 2.14 goals-against average. When he was out with a knee injury, Toronto’s results suffered. When he returned, the team regained its rhythm.
Now in the playoffs, with all eyes on him, Stolarz has become a key figure in the Leafs’ fight against the Ottawa Senators. In his first three playoff starts, he won in overtime twice. Before that, he had won 11 straight starts going back to March 20, including three shutouts in four games. His calm, composed play has given the team confidence in tight moments.
Anthony Stolarz has THAT personality, and so does his game
In Game 4 of the series against Ottawa, Stolarz gave up four goals, including the overtime winner to Jake Sanderson. After the loss, he didn’t make excuses. He simply said it came down to needing one more save. That mature approach is something the Leafs have often lacked from their goaltenders in recent playoff runs.
Game 5 was another test. Toronto got shut out and Stolarz gave up two goals, but he still looked in control for most of the game. The series is now 3-2, with the Senators gaining momentum. But through wins and losses, Stolarz has remained focused.
He’s also shown a bit of edge. In Game 2, when Ridly Greig crashed the crease, Stolarz pushed back and took a penalty for roughing. When asked about it, he admitted he had taken penalties before and got caught in the moment. His teammates respected it. They like seeing a goalie stand up for the crease.
Off the ice, he stays calm. Even when Nick Cousins tossed a puck at him during warmups before Game 3, Stolarz said he didn’t even notice. The league fined Ottawa $25,000 for that stunt, but Stolarz never reacted.
What makes his performance more impressive is that Toronto has a history of playoff goalie problems. Jack Campbell, Ilya Samsonov, and even Joseph Woll all struggled or got hurt when it mattered most. Stolarz may not be the flashy name, but he’s giving the Leafs what they’ve been searching for: a goalie who can stay steady when things get tough.
If the Leafs win this series, they will likely face the Florida Panthers in the next round. That would mean Stolarz going up against his old team, possibly even Sergei Bobrovsky, the goalie he used to back up. It would be a full-circle moment, but for now, Stolarz is keeping his focus simple: make the next save, win the next game, and keep Toronto’s playoff hopes alive.