Anthony Stolarz injury update: Maple Leafs goalie might not travel for Panthers series
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz, who went to the hospital after being hit twice in the head during the series opener, might not travel to Florida.
"I doubt it, at least right away," said coach Craig Berube, whose team leads the best-of-seven series 2-0.
That means Joseph Woll will continue to have the net against the Panthers. He entered Game 1 after Stolarz left and gave up three goals on 20 shots as the Maple Leafs held on to win 5-4. He stopped 25 shots in a 4-3 win in Game 2.
Stolarz took a Sam Reinhart wrist shot off the mask in the first period. In the second period, Florida's Sam Bennett caught him in the head during a collision in the crease and Stolarz dropped to the ice.
He remained in the game but got sick to his stomach by the bench during a television timeout and went to the dressing room. Multiple reports said he was taken to the hospital for further evaluation and later released.
Bennett, who has had some controversial plays in the past, wasn't penalized. The NHL Player Safety department took no action.
"Looking back at the video, really the contact that was made was, in my opinion, it's really just a bump," Bennett told reporters on Tuesday. "There's no forceful action. I'm trying to score. The last thing I'm thinking about is elbowing him in the head."
Stolarz played for the Panthers last season.
"Stoly is a great friend of mine, so when I hear he went to the hospital, of course I feed bad," Bennett said. "That's why I reached out."
Game 3 is at 7 p.m. ET Friday in Sunrise, Florida. It will be broadcast by TNT and truTV.
Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets injury updates
Stars forward Jason Robertson and Jets forward Mark Scheifele returned from injuries to suit up for Game 1 of their series. Scheifele scored a goal.
Robertson was injured in the regular-season finale and Scheifele was injured in Game 5 of the first round.
But neither team's top defenseman was able to play. Dallas' Miro Heiskanen has been out since before the 4 Nations Face-Off with a knee injury. Winnipeg's Josh Morrissey left Game 7 after being checked.