Anthony Stolarz gets start as Maple Leafs face Islanders in back‑to‑back

Anthony Stolarz will get his first start of the season on Wednesday as the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the New York Islanders in the second half of a season‑opening back‑to‑back. Head coach Jim Hiller confirmed to reporters that the veteran goaltender will take over in net one night after Toronto’s opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

Stolarz set for key opportunity after injury‑hit season

Stolarz, 32, is entering his third season with the Maple Leafs and is looking to reset after a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Limited by injuries, he appeared in 26 games last year, posting a .893 save percentage and 3.28 goals‑against average. Toronto ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, underscoring how little margin for error the club now has in goal.

This season, Stolarz is expected to work primarily in a backup role. The Maple Leafs brought in two‑time Stanley Cup champion Sergei Bobrovsky in the off‑season to handle number‑one duties. Bobrovsky started Tuesday’s loss to the Canadiens, allowing three goals on 24 shots in a 3-2 defeat to open the schedule.

With the team immediately facing back‑to‑back games, Wednesday’s assignment gives Stolarz an early chance to show he can provide reliable support behind Bobrovsky. How effectively the goaltending tandem manages stretches like this one will be central to Toronto’s hopes of returning to the post‑season.

Bo Groulx draws into lineup versus Islanders

Hiller also confirmed that forward Bo Groulx will be inserted into the lineup against the Islanders. The 26‑year‑old played 13 games for Toronto last season, recording five points, including three goals. Two of those goals stood up as game‑winners, an indication that he made the most of limited opportunities when called upon.

The head coach declined to specify which player will come out of the lineup to make room for Groulx. The move signals an early willingness from the Maple Leafs’ staff to adjust their forward mix and evaluate depth options coming out of training camp.

For Toronto, the matchup with New York will serve as an early gauge of both roster depth and resilience. Stolarz’s performance in goal and Groulx’s impact up front will be closely watched as the Maple Leafs attempt to quickly move past their opening‑night setback against Montreal and find traction in the first week of the season.