Anthony Stolarz brillant in return as Maple Leafs beat Kraken 3-1
Posted February 7, 2025 5:40 am.
Last Updated February 7, 2025 6:11 am.
Anthony Stolarz made 26 saves in his first start since Dec. 12 to help the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Seattle Kraken 3-1 on Thursday night.
Philippe Myers, Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies scored for the Leafs.
Eeli Tolvanen had the Kraken’s only goal, spoiling Stolarz’s shutout bid in the third period. Joey Daccord made 27 saves in his third straight start.
Myers opened the scoring 7:23 into the first period for his first goal of the season and first since 2022. McMann doubled Toronto’s lead on the power play after a high-sticking double-minor taken by Chandler Stephenson.
Knies extended his goal streak to three games with 7:23 remaining in the second period. The Kraken didn’t initiate a coach’s challenge, but the goal was reviewed for a high stick on the play. Knies’ goal stood, confirming the initial call on the ice.
It was Stolarz’s first start eight weeks after the 31-year-old goalie missed time with a knee issue.
“Looked like he didn’t miss a beat,” said Myers. “One of the best goalies in the league, and really happy to have him back.”
Teammate and fellow goalie Joseph Woll made 18 starts while Stolarz was sidelined, with a 12-7 record.
“Missing that much time, you want to come out and have a positive result and get the two points,” said Stolarz, after saving 26 of 27 shots and improving his save percentage to a sparkling .929.
“But the guys did a great job tonight, helping me ease back into it and let me see lot of the pucks, and I just had to make the saves.”
Despite rallying to tie the game with two goals against Detroit on Tuesday, Seattle failed to score again after Tolvanen did 5:43 into the final period.
Both teams are in action again on Saturday for their final games before the Four Nations break. The Calgary Flames host the Kraken, and the Maple Leafs visit the Vancouver Canucks.
The Leafs have several players slated to participate in the tournament, including Mitch Marner (Canada), William Nylander (Sweden) and Auston Matthews (U.S.A.).
With files from Lucas Casaletto of CityNews
