Ex-Maple Leafs HC Sheldon Keefe believes Toronto has the "best goaltending in league"

Former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was on the opposite side of the ice on Tuesday night. Now coaching the New Jersey Devils, Keefe got a front row seat to watch his former team. The Leafs utilized outstanding goalkeeping from Anthony Stolarz to earn a 2-1 win in overtime.

Stolarz made 38 saves and helped keep his team in the game despite an overwhelming shot disadvantage. Stolarz is not the primary goaltender, as Joseph Woll was tagged as their No. 1 this year.

"They have the best goaltending in the league on the other side of the ice," Keefe said after the game, via TSN.

Keefe added that it was New Jersey's "best game of the season."

"I leave here feeling pretty good about our team tonight," Keefe said.

He left the Leafs before Stolarz joined. Stolarz signed a two-year $5 million deal just two months after Keefe was let go in favor of Craig Berube.

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Anthony Stolarz comments after Sheldon Keefe's praise of Maple Leafs goaltending

Anthony Stolarz was pressed into action early in 2024 due to Joseph Woll's injury. He has responded with excellent play and has maintained that even with Woll back in the lineup.

Anthony Stolarz got praised by Sheldon Keefe (Imagn)

Former Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe was impressed with his work, which Stolarz addressed after the game via TSN.

"In the first five minutes of the game they had seven shots, so I think when a team is going to pepper you pretty early on and kind of get you in a groove, it's kind of up to you to stay in there and just keep battling," Stolarz said.

He then praised the Devils for their offensive onslaught that forced him to dig deep.

"They're an offensive team with a lot of skill, so they're throwing pucks at the net and getting traffic around there," Stolarz said. "So, it's just up to me to kind of battle through, make the saves, and not give up any second-chance rebounds."

Stolarz had a nearly flawless game, allowing only one goal on 39 shots and kept his shorthanded offense alive long enough to score a winner in overtime.