Maple Leafs' Stolarz to return vs. Kraken after 24-game absence
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz will return Thursday against the Seattle Kraken, head coach Craig Berube announced, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
Stolarz hasn't played since injuring his knee Dec. 12 against the Anaheim Ducks, missing the last 24 contests.
The 31-year-old netminder underwent surgery to remove a loose body the size of a "little pebble" in his knee, Toronto general manager Brad Treliving said in December.
Star winger Mitch Marner will also play versus the Kraken after missing Tuesday's contest against the Calgary Flames with a lower-body injury.
Stolarz had been outstanding in his first season with Toronto before the injury, authoring the NHL's best save percentage (.927) and second-best goals against average (2.15). He holds a 9-5-2 record with one shutout as the Leafs' starting goaltender.
Toronto signed Stolarz to a two-year, $2.5-million deal last offseason after he won the Stanley Cup as the Florida Panthers' backup goalie.
Joseph Woll has started the most games in net for the Leafs this season, going 19-10-0 with a 2.67 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Dennis Hildeby and Matt Murray have started a handful of contests as well.
Toronto sits second in the Atlantic Division with a 32-19-2 record and one point back of the Florida Panthers with two games in hand.