Photo credit: USA TODAY SPORTS

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is emerging as one of the top netminders in the league as we approach the quarter mark of the season.

Anthony Stolarz has been outstanding for the Toronto Maple Leafs, stepping up as the starting goalie in place of the original projected starter, Joseph Woll.

With a 7-3-2 record, Stolarz is currently leading the league in save percentage at .927, tied with Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings and Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild.

This level of performance is no fluke for Stolarz, who was also excellent last season in a backup role with the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers.

Most recently, the Maple Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime. After an incredible poke-check on Connor McDavid, the consensus best player in the world, Stolarz shared his thoughts on the play, as per Nick Barden on X:
”Someone as talented as him, he’s going to come around and I just tried to surprise him with poke-check and was fortunate enough to get a lot of contact with the puck there.”

Stolarz’s stellar play in the Oilers game was crucial to the Maple Leafs’ victory. His strong performance, both in that game and throughout the season, has earned him a lot of trust with the coaching staff and his teammates in Toronto.

Stolarz has also produced several highlight-reel saves that are already early contenders for save of the year.

For the Maple Leafs to maintain success throughout the season, they will need Stolarz to maintain his high save percentage and keep his goals-against low, as goaltending will be key to securing key victories in tight games this season.