The team confirmed that he was taken to hospital for precautionary footage shortly after the hit.
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“Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz left warmups tonight in Ottawa after taking a puck to the throat and was taken to hospital for precautionary footage. An update will be provided when available.” Leafs PR published in X.
The puck that hit Stolarz came off teammate William Nylander’s stick during routine warm-ups. Nylander expressed concern after the game, explaining that the shot didn’t go where he intended.
“Obviously, it’s very difficult for that to happen,” Nylander said of the hit on Stolarz. “I mean, I always go in and shoot the puck in the glove, and this one went a little bit to the left and I hit him in the neck. So, obviously I was worried about him, but I’ve been texting with him, so he seems to be okay.”
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Hours later, Toronto shared a positive update, confirming that Stolarz had been released and would rejoin the team for the trip home. The quick release eased concerns about what initially appeared to be a serious injury.
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“Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz has been released from the hospital following precautionary imaging and will return to Toronto with the team.” Leafs PR announced.
With Stolarz unavailable, Joseph Woll stepped in as a starter and made 38 saves in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators.
The Anthony Stolarz incident occurred during a difficult season
The incident adds to a challenging season for Stolarz, who has already had to deal with injuries. He has an 8-9-3 record with a 3.34 goals-against average in 22 appearances. His availability for the upcoming game against the Boston Bruins remains uncertain.
Toronto may need to consider depth options if he is unable to play in upcoming games.
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For a team already dealing with inconsistency and injuries, this result brings some relief. The focus now is on monitoring his recovery and ensuring stability in goal during a critical stretch of the season.
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