Pacioretty scores twice, Maple Leafs survive loss of Stolarz

Article content

Another injury for the Maple Leafs.

Article content

Article content

Article content

This one could sting, depending on the severity.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz was hurt against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night and had to depart the game after suffering a lower-body injury. Stolarz didn’t return for the start of the second period after making seven saves in the opening 20 minutes and was replaced by Joseph Woll.

Article content

Article content

Woll got the job done, making 19 saves as the Leafs beat the Ducks 3-2 at Scotiabank Arena.

“We’ll know more (Friday),” Leafs coach Craig Berube said. “Lower body right now.”

How concerning is it with the way he has been playing?

“It is concerning, for sure,” Berube said. “I didn’t see when it happened, but hopefully we get good news out of it. He got checked out and couldn’t go.”

Article content

Max Pacioretty scored two goals, marking the veteran’s first two-goal game since Jan. 7, 2023, for the Carolina Hurricanes against Columbus.

Woll has been sharp, going 7-3-0 with a .919 save percentage prior to the game.

There’s no denying the impact that Stolarz has had in his first season with Toronto after signing a two-year contract in free agency this past offseason. Going into Thursday, Stolarz was leading the NHL with a .928 save percentage. As recently as Tuesday, Stolarz stole two points for the Leafs in a 2-1 overtime win in New Jersey.

If Stolarz is out for any length of time, Woll will have to shoulder the responsibility in net.

Article content

Woll did his part in the win. Among his saves, he stretched across the crease to deny Alex Killorn in the third period.

The Leafs might have to recall a goalie from the Toronto Marlies in time for practice on Friday. One of Dennis Hildeby or Artur Akhtyamov, who has been excellent for the Marlies in his first professional season in North America, would be in line to be summoned.

Pacioretty put the Leafs up by two goals at 12:54 of the second period after John Tavares won an offensive-zone draw and got the puck to Conor Timmins at the point. Pacorietty, wily veteran that he is, deflected Timmins’ shot past goalie Lukas Dostal.

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Defenceman Jackson LaCombe answered just over a minute later, beating Woll through a screen.

Toronto led 2-1 after the first on goals by Pacioretty and William Nylander.

Pacioretty scored at 6:57 off a feed from Tavares, and Nylander knocked the puck out of the air at 14:17.

Stolarz was beaten at 15:56 by Frank Vatrano during a Ducks power play. Stolarz stretched to his right and was unable to make a stop on shot by Vatrano from the side boards. It might have been on that play that Stolarz was hurt, but that was not immediately clear.

[email protected]

X: @koshtorontosun

Article content