Leafs Tank for Draft Lottery, Stolarz's Status Uncertain

0:00It's March 23rd, from game day to every day. This is NHL News today, powered by AI. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a tough spot, heading into the final 12 games of the season. What began with big hopes has turned into a push for the draft lottery, and fans are rooting for more losses to boost their odds. Injuries keep piling up for the team. Goalie Anthony Stolars left warm-ups early Saturday against the Ottawa Senators after taking a puck to the throat from a teammate shot. He got checked out at a hospital, and was released at night. But now his status is up in the air, forcing Joseph Wall into back-to-back starts. Least Nation has embraced the tank. After a 5-2 loss in Ottawa, where they manage just 14 shots against 40, the focus is on landing a high draft pick. That includes protecting the first round they got in the trade for defenseman Brandon Carlo to Boston, which is top 5 protected. The team might call up Dennis Hildobee from the minors to help in net if Stolars isn't

1:01ready. Meanwhile, the schedule heats up this week with home games against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, March 24th at 7pm Eastern Time. The New York Rangers on Wednesday, March 25th at 7.30pm, and the St. Louis Blues on Saturday March 28th at 7pm. With so much on the line for the lottery, every game counts toward reshaping the future, and Toronto's fans are locked in for the ride.