Berube: Stolarz 'progressing' but not skating yet

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said injured netminder Anthony Stolarz is "progressing in the right direction," though he isn't skating yet, according to The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.

Stolarz hasn't played since Game 1 of Toronto's second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Monday.

His mask popped off after taking a shot from Sam Reinhart up high in the first period and was later removed from the contest after Sam Bennett hit him in the head in the second frame.

Stolarz initially stayed in the game after the collision but appeared to vomit over the Maple Leafs' bench during a TV timeout and reportedly departed Scotiabank Arena on a stretcher before being taken to a hospital.

Joseph Woll has started the past two contests in Stolarz's absence. He allowed three goals on 28 shots during Toronto's Game 2 victory Wednesday, but the Panthers got on the board in the series with a 5-4 overtime win in Game 3. Woll saved 31 of 36 shots Friday.

"The difference you see is just, it's a bounce one way," Woll said postgame. "That's how playoff games go, so just gonna reset and get ready for the next one."

Berube was largely pleased with Woll's performance.

"I thought he was really good," Berube said. "I mean, I don't love the fourth goal (in the second period), but other than that, I thought he was solid."

It was Woll's first postseason defeat since Toronto's season-ending Game 5 loss to the Panthers in the second round in 2023. He has appeared in six playoff contests since then.

Woll was outstanding in two victorious starts in the first round against the Boston Bruins last spring, recording a .961 save percentage and 0.98 goals-against average before missing Game 7's loss with an injury.

Stolarz was instrumental in Toronto's first-round victory over the Ottawa Senators, posting a .901 clip and 2.21 goals-against average in six games.

Game 4 against Florida is scheduled for Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.