Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz missed Monday’s practice, as he was granted a rest day, following the team’s 6-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
Stolarz made 31 saves in the winning effort against the Senators, and was terrific when called upon.
“He had to make some huge saves,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Stolarz post-game. “In the second period, after we had the 5-on-3, they had three really good opportunities after that when it became 5-on-5, he made big saves. Timely saves are huge. We all know that, especially in the playoffs. They go a long way. I thought he made some timely saves that were really important to keep where it was at and to keep the momentum going. So he was huge in that department for sure.”
Artur Akhtyamov operated as the Maple Leafs’ second goalie during practice, with Joseph Woll getting reps. Berube doesn’t appear inclined to use a tandem in the playoffs, and Stolarz won his past eight starts to close out the regular season.
Berube made one notable adjustment during Game 1 and appears to be sticking with it: Pontus Holmberg remains on the Maple Leafs’ second line alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, while Max Domi is centring the third line with Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson on the wing. Domi was moved down to the third line after a few turnovers, but did well in this role, sticking up for his teammates, while providing real physicality on the forecheck.
Holmberg, Domi and Steven Lorentz were the lone Maple Leafs’ forwards who did not record a point on Sunday.
There were no other changes to the lineup during practice, as the Maple Leafs look to take a commanding 2-0 lead over the Senators on Tuesday.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup vs. Senators
Matthew Knies-Auston Matthews-Mitch Marner
Pontus Holmberg-John Tavares-William Nylander
Bobby McMann-Max Domi-Nick Robertson
Steven Lorentz-Scott Laughton-Calle Jarnkrok
Morgan Rielly-Brandon Carlo
Jake McCabe-Chris Tanev
Simon Benoit-Oliver Ekman-Larsson
Anthony Stolarz (projected starter)
Joseph Woll
