NHL analyst claims Maple Leafs' $5,000,000 goalie could be 'No. 1 factor' in Toronto's playoff success in Matthews-Marner era

The Toronto Maple Leafs clinched their first-ever Atlantic Division title by shutting out the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 at KeyBank Center on Tuesday night.

It officially confirmed the much-anticipated first-round playoff matchup with the Ottawa Senators. Toronto's strong play to finish the season has allowed them to avoid heavyweights Tampa Bay and Florida until the second round.

One of the biggest factors in the Maple Leafs winning their division was the play of goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who recorded a shutout in three of his last four starts.

Stolarz is in the first season of a two-year, $5,000,000 contract signed with the Maple Leafs as a UFA during the 2024 offseason.

TSN hockey analyst James Duthie was on "First Up" on Wednesday morning and broke down how he feels about the Maple Leafs heading into the playoffs, backstopped by Stolarz.

"That is the number one difference between this team and basically all of the teams over this playoff run in the Matthews-Marner era. I don't remember them going in with everything looking this good. You know, the acquisitions on D, that was kind of an arguable point all year. The D was improved, but the numbers didn't really back that up, necessarily. But over the last few weeks, they, 100%, have backed that up. So that looks better than it has," Duthie said (6:50).

"I think I could say this core and the way they're playing right now looks better than any D core has looked going to the playoffs over these last nine years. And then Matthews finally looks healthy, and Marner had the best individual season of his career," Duthie added.

The Maple Leafs have two strong options in net

For the first time in a long time, the Toronto Maple Leafs have two very good goaltenders heading into the playoffs.

While Anthony Stolarz will likely enter the postseason as the first-choice goalie, Joseph Woll is a tremendous backup option. Stolarz and Woll earned 21 and 26 wins, respectively, while putting up save percentages over .908.

Toronto has one regular-season game remaining, on Thursday night when they host the Detroit Red Wings. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST at Scotiabank Arena.