Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender Anthony Stolarz stepped up his efforts Monday night by leading his team to a 6-4 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. In doing so, he handed the NHL’s last undefeated team its first loss of the season. In a game that saw Toronto dominate from the start, Stolarz held on to maintain the lead when the Jets fought back in the third period. His performance shows why he has become a reliable option for the Leafs this season as he continues to earn the trust of the head coach. Craig Berube.

Stolarz faced 23 shots and stopped 19. His strong early play helped his team take a 5-2 lead. The Maple Leafs were in complete control until the Jets increased the pressure in the third. Throughout, Stolarz stopped the Jets’ surge. Despite the Jets’ attempts to capitalize late, Stolarz weathered the storm and secured the victory. It was his fourth victory of the season.

Three reasons why Stolarz has been great this season

Stolarz’s strong start with Toronto demonstrated his abilities and highlighted the depth he brings to the team’s goaltending rotation. Here are three reasons why he has been a valuable asset:

First, Stolarz has proven to be reliable. His 4-2-1 record, 2.45 GAA and .916 save percentage made him trustworthy in net.. Even in tense circumstances, he maintained his composure and consistency. He kept the Maple Leafs competitive in every game he started.

Second, he gained Bérubé’s trust. With Joseph Woll Sidelined by a lower-body injury, Stolarz proved to be an excellent backup – perhaps, now, the starter. His frequent starts, including his back-to-back games after Saturday’s overtime loss, show that Bérubé has confidence in himself. This trust is earned and evident. Stolarz was called upon to face a high caliber Jets team that had yet to lose a game. He prevailed.