This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone—a very similar situation happened last year in the 2024 NHL playoffs. Ilya Samsonov got injured and Woll came into the game and ended up dragging the Maple Leafs back into the series. Flash forward a year later, and he is doing the same thing. The only difference is, they don’t need to be dragged into the series because they have a 2-0 series lead. Now the question is, if Anthony Stolarz were to come back in this series and be healthy, who should the Maple Leafs start? To me, the answer would be to ride the hot hand, which at this point would be Woll until he struggles, then switch it up.
Nylander Is an Elite Playoff Performer
Everyone knows that Nylander has been a very good playoff performer, but after this playoff run, he has moved into the category of elite. He has been the best player on the ice for a number of games this playoffs and it shows. He has six goals, seven assists for 13 points in eight games. In his career, he has 55 points in 61 career playoff games.
Mitch Marner Chris Tanev Jake McCabe Toronto Maple Leafs
Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, left, celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with teammates Chris Tanev and Jake McCabe during the third period in Game Two of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
With the Maple Leafs looking to continue their playoff run, they will need Nylander to continue to step up and be a difference-maker if they want to keep winning games. Nylander is currently tied with Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid for the league lead in points in the playoffs with 13. If he continues on his pace, he could hit the 30–35-point mark if the Maple Leafs were to advance all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, which would be Conn Smythe Trophy winner numbers.