Former NHL Goalie Explains Why Anthony Stolarz is Struggling All of a Sudden
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz is struggling right now and former NHL goalie Stephen Valiquette seems to have all of the answers as to why.
In his last start against the Colorado Avalanche, Anthony Stolarz allowed a total of five goals on 32 shots which is one of his worst performances of the season.
Prior to that, he had a bad game against the San Jose Sharks and he even let in four goals on 36 shots against the Boston Bruins.
Fans expect better from Stolarz these days especially since the goalie was leading the league in save percentage at one point.
Why is Anthony Stolarz playing bad
His goals-against average is 2.34 and his save percentage is .921 which is still incredibly respectable, all things considered.
However, according to former NHL goalie Stephen Valiquette, Stolarz is struggling because he isn't making himself big in the net.
"The scoring chances weren't that heavy and quality in favour of Colorado the other night when they beat up on Stolarz...
What I saw in that game, and the two previous games as well, he's getting himself into trouble because he's getting wide before the shot and when he gets wide, his shoulders come down and he doesn't track towards where the puck is coming from.
Even a big goalie can play small that way. Stolarz, for first half of the season, he was really strong on his feet, being able to beat the pass on his feet, being able to have a big body posture."
What I saw in that game, and the two previous games as well, he's getting himself into trouble because he's getting wide before the shot and when he gets wide, his shoulders come down and he doesn't track towards where the puck is coming from.
Even a big goalie can play small that way. Stolarz, for first half of the season, he was really strong on his feet, being able to beat the pass on his feet, being able to have a big body posture."
It is an interesting theory and it is the same thing that was said about Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby, who ultimately had to go back down to the minors.
Goaltending is something that fans are always sensitive about and in the case of Stolarz, that is no different.
The Leafs need all hands on deck for the playoffs and they cannot afford the goaltending to get bad now.
Anthony Stolarz will be in goal against the Florida Panthers and it will be extremely important for him to have a good game.
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