Stolarz to Start, Ekman-Larsson and Carlo Join Morning Skate
In an exciting turn of events for the Toronto Maple Leafs, goaltender Anthony Stolarz is set to start against the Vegas Golden Knights on Friday. This is significant as Stolarz has not played since November 11 due to a nerve issue. His return comes after a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, where he aimed to regain his game form.
Stolarz’s Return to the Ice
Stolarz, 32, stands 6-foot-6 and holds a record of 6-5-1 this season. His goals-against average is 3.51, with a save percentage of .884 across 13 games. Coach Craig Berube confirmed his return, signaling confidence in his performance ahead of the match against the Golden Knights.
Defensive Line Updates
Joining Stolarz in the morning skate were defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Carlo. Both players had exited Wednesday’s overtime game against the Detroit Red Wings early due to injuries. Their participation in the skate raises hopes for their availability in Friday’s game, although it remains uncertain.
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson, 34, leads the Maple Leafs defense corps with 31 points this season, including eight goals in 50 games.
- Brandon Carlo, 29, has played 27 games, contributing four assists and missing time due to foot surgery.
Additionally, the Maple Leafs recalled 24-year-old defenseman Henry Thrun from the Marlies. Thrun was acquired from the San Jose Sharks in the offseason and has appeared in four games with the Maple Leafs this season.
Other NHL Roster Movements
In related news, the Winnipeg Jets assigned forward Danny Zhilkin and defenseman Isaak Phillips to the AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Zhilkin, 22, was drafted 77th overall in 2022 and recorded seven goals and 14 points in 30 AHL games this season. Phillips, 24, has three assists in 33 games for the Moose.
| Player | Age | AHL Games | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Zhilkin | 22 | 30 | 7 | 14 |
| Isaak Phillips | 24 | 33 | 0 | 13 |
Additionally, the Minnesota Wild sent forwards Hunter Haight and Ben Jones to the AHL’s Iowa Wild. Haight, 21, was drafted 47th overall in 2022 and has recorded seven goals and 12 points in 26 AHL games. Jones, 26, has one goal and two points in 26 games with Minnesota.
Vegas Golden Knights Developments
Meanwhile, the Vegas Golden Knights may see Rasmus Andersson make his debut against Toronto. Acquired from the Calgary Flames, Andersson, 29, has been dealing with visa issues. He has 30 points and 10 goals in 48 games this season, making his debut a highly anticipated event.
As the NHL season progresses, teams continue to adapt and strategize around player health and availability, ensuring fans remain engaged in the thrilling competition.
