The Toronto Maple Leafs welcomed back goaltender Anthony Stolarz to practice, marking a significant milestone in his recovery from knee surgery. Stolarz, who has been sidelined since December 12, is expected to return to the lineup soon. His absence has greatly affected the team’s performance, with their save percentage plummeting from 0.912 to 0.883 in his absence. Coach Craig Berube noted that Stolarz is ahead of schedule in his recovery process, with a return likely coinciding with the upcoming home game against the Minnesota Wild.

Joseph Woll has stepped up in Stolarz's absence, but his performance has been average, prompting the team's emphasis on goaltending depth. Additionally, Matt Murray returning to practice after a long rehabilitation adds to the team’s options in goal. Murray expressed enthusiasm about his comeback, despite recognizing the challenges of transitioning back to the NHL from the AHL. The Leafs face the Ottawa Senators next, a team that recently shut them out, underscoring the need to approach the game with the right mindset and intensity.