Anthony Stolarz had a rough day at the office on Saturday for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as he was pulled after allowing four goals on 19 shots through a period and a half against the Boston Bruins in an eventual 5-3 defeat.

It was the first time Stolarz was pulled for a non-injury reason in his tenure with the Maple Leafs. “It’s obviously not up to par,” Stolarz said of his effort after the game. “I mean, it seems like every night I’m giving up one or two you want back but, for me, it’s life of a goalie. Have to put it behind you & focus on the next game.”

Stolarz was especially critical of his start on Saturday. “First & foremost I gotta bear down & make a save,” Stolarz said. “Giving up the first two shots not a good way to start the game.”

Dennis Hildeby made his season debut for the Maple Leafs in relief, where he allowed one goal on 20 shots in 32:30. “He was awesome,” Stolarz said of Hildeby. “I put him in a s–t situation. He handled it like a true pro.”

Stolarz has not recaptured the form he showcased for the Maple Leafs in his first season with the team a year ago. In 2024-25, Stolarz held a 2.14 goals-against average and a league-leading .926 save percentage in a career-high 34 games.

This year has been a different story for the 32-year-old though – in 11 games entering Saturday’s action, Stolarz has a .895 save percentage and a 3.11 GAA.

Stolarz told TSN’s Mark Masters that he felt like he’s “giving up one [goal] a game that I kind of want back.” Stolarz, who has never started more than half a team’s games in any of his nine NHL seasons, has started 12 of 15 this year for Toronto.

Part of that is because his regular partner last season, Justin Woll, has been away from the team to deal with a personal matter and has not played in a game yet. Woll rejoined the team earlier this week and reported to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL for conditioning.

“I appreciate the work [Stolarz has] done,” Woll said. “Been great for our team carrying the load like that. It’s not an easy thing to do. Not an easy thing at all. Yeah, he’s been awesome. He’s handling it great. He’s in the same mindset he’s always in, so it’s great.”

Woll made his first start for the Marlies on Saturday, allowing three goals on 24 shots before he was pulled midway through the second period. The team has not announced a potential timeline for Woll to return to the Maple Leafs.