Anthony Stolarz returns to guide Maple Leafs past Kraken

Field Level Media|published: Fri 7th February, 01:12 2025

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at Seattle Kraken

Feb 6, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs, from left, defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson (95), defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) and forward Bobby McMann (74) celebrate a goal in front of forward Brandon Tanev (13) during the first period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz, making his first appearance since Dec. 12, stopped 26 shots as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the host Seattle Kraken 3-1 on Thursday.

Stolarz was out for 24 games following knee surgery.

Philippe Myers, Bobby McMann and Matthew Knies scored for the Maple Leafs, who improved to 3-0-0 on their four-game Western trip that concludes Saturday in Vancouver.

Eeli Tolvanen scored and Joey Daccord made 27 saves for Seattle, which went 1-3-1 on its five-game homestand.

Myers opened the scoring at 7:23 of the first period as his slap shot from the right point deflected off Seattle's Matty Beniers on its way into the net. It was Myers' first goal since November 2022.

Maple Leafs leading point-scorer Mitch Marner, who missed the team's Tuesday win at Calgary due to a lower-body issue, was credited with an assist, the 500th of his NHL career.

McMann tallied on a power play at 18:53 of the first, redirecting Morgan Rielly's shot from the top of the right faceoff circle while the Kraken's Chandler Stephenson serving a double minor for high sticking. It was McCann's fifth consecutive road game with a goal.

Knies made it 3-0 at 12:37 of the second, tipping Jake McCabe's shot from the left point past Daccord. The goalie immediately protested that Knies touched the puck with a high stick, but the goal stood after a lengthy video review.

Tolvanen helped the Kraken avoid the shutout, beating a screened Stolarz with a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle at 5:43 of the third. It was Tolvanen's fifth goal in the past seven games.

One of Stolarz's best saves came on a Seattle power play about five minutes into the second period as he did the splits and reached his glove high into the air to rob Brandon Montour on a slap shot from the high slot. Stolarz and Montour were teammates on the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers last season.

The Maple Leafs swept the season series between the teams, having defeated the visiting Kraken 4-1 on Oct. 31.

--Field Level Media

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