Ridly Greig stood before Anthony Stolarz and received a few chops and shoves before getting knocked down by the towering goaltender shortly after.
It's been a series of physicality for the goaltender, who, after Tuesday's 3-2 overtime win, has a .934 save percentage, the third-best among goaltenders during the playoffs.
Greig drove the net hard and barreled into Stolarz during Toronto's Game 1 win. But when the Senators forward planted his skates in front of Stolarz on Tuesday, the goaltender was having none of it.
"It was just caught up in the heat of the battle. Just one of those things that, it didn’t matter. I didn’t even know who it was," Stolarz said post-game. "It’s just one of those, you’re in the heat of the moment, and it is what it is."
Stolarz remembered the collision from Game 1 pic.twitter.com/ZI3xTXDlS0
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 23, 2025
It's not the first time, and likely not the last, that Stolarz gets into it with an opponent who stands their ground in front of him. "I’ve taken quite a few penalties in my day," he grinned.
"I’ve known Stollie for a long time, and I’ve seen that in junior, too. He’s a big man. He sticks up for himself," said Mitch Marner, who played with Stolarz on the OHL's London Knights.
"We Stayed With It': Maple Leafs Halt Senators' Comeback Bid To Take 2-0 Series LeadMax Domi scored the overtime winner as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series on Tuesday.
That mix-up might've been the most comedic part of the night. However, it won't be overshadowed by his strong play throughout Game 2, where he only allowed two goals on 28 shots.
He's been through a lot this season: getting more games than ever in the NHL and having knee surgery in mid-December, which cost him nearly two months. Stolarz came back from that and didn't miss a beat.
‘He’s Ready To Go’: Craig Berube All But Confirms Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz As Game 1 Starter Ahead Of Battle Of OntarioThe Toronto Maple Leafs held their first full skate of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Saturday, a day before the puck drops for Game 1 against the Ottawa Senators. While head coach Craig Berube didn’t officially name his starting goaltender for Game 1, his words left little doubt, with all signs pointing to Anthony Stolarz getting the nod.
He's backstopping the Maple Leafs as they take a 2-0 series lead to Ottawa.
"He's just getting going in pro. You go through your career, how he went through it, kind of always was like the backup, but not a starter, and still a valuable position," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said.
"He's coming off a very good season last year and won a Stanley Cup. He came in this year wanting to be a starter, and I know it was a shared net for the most of the year. I think a lot of the reason for that was we had two guys that have not played a significant amount of games throughout the season. I like the combination of both of them, but he's been excellent all year."
Stolarz left Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday evening with four goals against through two games against the Senators. Part of that was because of how the Maple Leafs played in front of him, though his calm play also played a key role.
'He Made Big Saves': How Anthony Stolarz Won Game 1 Of The Goalie Battle Against Senators' Linus UllmarkAnthony Stolarz showed up and showed out against the Ottawa Senators in Game 1 of the Battle of Ontario, which the Toronto Maple Leafs won commandingly, 6-2.
Most of what the 31-year-old has learned about playoff hockey came from getting a front-row seat to Sergei Bobrovsky's run with the Florida Panthers last spring.
"Last year, being able to be behind Bob and see how he conducted his day-to-day routine and what it took to prepare, and sit next to him in the locker room and just speak to him, I think that went pretty far for me," Stolarz said.
"I’m just trying to take all that experience from last year and roll it over to this year."
Stolarz flashes leather pic.twitter.com/T0vYFIcEY7
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) April 23, 2025
Clearly, what he's learned is working for him.
Before the playoffs began, Stolarz admitted he's not like other goaltenders, or in his words, the "weirdo." Stolarz likes to be around his teammates off the ice. However, when it comes down to business, he wants to win.
It's been a long road for the goaltender. He's a playoff starter in his ninth NHL season. Stolarz is enjoying the ride. The next stop: Ottawa for a crucial Game 3 of the Battle of Ontario.
"You obviously want your opportunity [to be a starter], but at the end of the day, I’m playing in the NHL. I like to have fun out there," said Stolarz. "I like to enjoy the moment with everyone on the team. We’ll enjoy this one tonight, but tomorrow, right back to work."
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