Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz was appreciative of the effort in front in a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators in Game 4.
Despite being down 2-0 and 3-2 and at different points of the game, the Leafs were able to claw their way into a tie each time to force a third consecutive overtime. A four-minute power-play going cold at the wrong time and a goal from Jake Sanderson did the team in, with a chance at a sweep squandered.
Stolarz told reporters after the game that the winner was a puck that he lost track of until it was too late, which he said was the difference in the game.
“ I thought we played a hell of a game,” he said. “ Just being able to battle back from 2-0 and 3-2. Thought we had a lot of chances in overtime. I kinda like where our game’s at, boils down to just making one more save on my end. But all in all, I thought it was a really good effort by the guys tonight.”
The Leafs were certainly the better team throughout the majority of the contest, and they have a lot to feel good about in terms of their play overall. But with so much riding on the future direction of the team, losing yet another close-out game will not ease any fans’ concerns over them blowing it with their record since the Auston Matthews era started dropping to 1-12.
Stolarz stresses that the Leafs need to stick with it and continue to box out the Senators if they wish to close out the series at home on Tuesday.
“ I feel fine. Part of being an athlete, part of the training is what you train for,” he said on how he feels physically after three straight overtimes. “ We have those rest days in between. We’ll get an extra day here. I use that to recuperate, but we’ll get into guys practicing, and we’ll be hungry for Game 5.”
One of the underlying stories throughout the series to this point has been Ottawa’s attempt to get Stolarz off his game, which was evidenced by Nick Cousins throwing pucks at him during warmup ahead of Game 3. That resulted in an investigation by the league and a fine issued to him and the Senators.
When asked about the incident, Stolarz said that he did not notice while adding that he has not spoken with Cousins throughout the season.
“ I mean, I didn’t even notice, to be honest. It’s just one of those things,” he said. “I know Cousy, played with him for a number of years. So I’m sure he didn’t need any malicious intent by it.”
The series returns to Toronto for Game 5 with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.