Kyper & Bourne Reveal Craig Berube's Potential Playoff Goaltending Strategy

PUBLICATION

Chris Gerics
February 7, 2025 (7:14 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne of the 'Real Kyper and Bourne' podcast discussed who they think Toronto will push as their playoff starter: Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are set up pretty well come playoff time. If they can find a way past the Florida Panthers at any point, they should be primed to have a deep and successful Stanley Cup run, but need to add a piece or two in order to be sure.

But analysts Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne believe a lot of Toronto's success hinges on their goaltenders and speculate who is going to lead the team this spring.

So who exactly are Bourne and Kypreos hedging their bets on?

Anthony Stolarz Or Joseph Woll: Kyper And Bourne Discuss Playoff Push

On their latest episode of 'The Real Kyper and Bourne' podcast, both hosts alongside Sam McKee discussed Toronto's goaltending situation:

In this whole Matthews and Marner era, they've never had anything like this, Sam McKee stated. Kypreos responded, You need to go back to [Ed] Belfour, [Felix] Potvin, Cujo (Curtis Joseph) to have even anything that remotely resembles this.

I get it, there's a lot to be excited about. There's not a team that can touch them.

It's certainly exciting at the prospect of Toronto finally having reliable goaltending. This season, Stolarz has a 10-5-2 record with a 2.08 GAA & .929 SV%. Woll has been just as good, with a 19-10-0 record with a 2.67 GAA & .909 SV%.

But Justin Bourne was a bit more hesitant regarding how Toronto is going to implement their tandem for the rest of the season and playoffs:

Surely one of them will play well in the playoffs, right. To see the other guy, one guy has to fail so I'm curious to see if one of them becomes 'the guy', there's 28 games left, is it time to worry about who's the guy?

Well fans could certainly hope that one of them will play well don't they? They're in luck then, as Stolarz is coming off a Stanley Cup win meanwhile Woll showed he can handle playoff pressure in last year's matchup with Boston.

But Kypreos believes that the team will instead head toward a more equal spread of games played:

I think neither of these guys are going on a three or four week heater in the playoffs...it may be that year where you go 1a, 1b, not saying you won't get consecutive starts but there might be that one game that doesn't look great, you go to the other and let the other guy reset.

It was something that Toronto was expected to do this season, however injuries have derailed both goaltenders' seasons. Woll started the season on the IR and Stolarz made his first start in 24 games on Thursday night.

If the Maple Leafs can add the necessary pieces up front, while keeping their consistent and reliable goaltending strong, then a Stanley Cup isn't out of the question.

But what do you think? Who would you start in the playoffs if you were Toronto?

POLL
2 HOURS AGO \| 49 ANSWERS Kyper & Bourne Reveal Craig Berube's Potential Playoff Goaltending Strategy Who should the Maple Leafs start as goaltender in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
▢ Anthony Stolarz
▢ Joseph Woll

MUST READ