Stolarz shines in return as Maple Leafs defeat Kraken 3-1
Eight weeks to the day after he was forced out of the Maple Leafs lineup with a knee issue, veteran goalie Anthony Stolarz sparkled in his return on Thursday night, making 27 saves in the Leafs' 3-1 victory against the Seattle Kraken.
Stolarz was in pre-injury form at Climate Pledge Arena, reminding observers that he was leading the NHL with a .927 save percentage when he was sidelined on December 12 during a game against Anaheim. The following week, Stolarz underwent a procedure in New York to remove a pebble-sized loose body from his knee.
His best save came in the second period when he went full leather-flash to snare a shot by former Florida Panthers teammate Brandon Montour, followed by a smile for his friend. A point-blank save on Shane Wright during a Kraken power play in the third period also stood out.
