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  • Kristen ShiltonMay 10, 2025, 12:21 PM ET

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      Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz continues to work his way back but doesn’t appear close to a return in Toronto’s second-round Eastern Conference playoff series against the Florida Panthers.

“He’s progressing in the right direction,” Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube said Saturday. “But he has not skated yet [since getting hurt].”

Stolarz was injured during Game 1 on Monday. The goaltender took a puck off his mask and an elbow to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett in the second period, exiting shortly after the Bennett hit. Stolarz, who was ill on Toronto’s bench before he left the game, was later transported to a hospital for evaluation.

The veteran was able to rejoin his teammates Tuesday at their facility but did not travel with the Maple Leafs to Florida ahead of Friday’s Game 3.

Joseph Woll took over the starting duties from Stolarz and helped stake Toronto to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. But Woll struggled in Game 3, recording an .861 save percentage as the Panthers mounted two multigoal comebacks to down the Maple Leafs 5-4 in overtime.

Berube said after the loss that he “thought [Woll] was really good” but that he didn’t love when Panthers fourth-liner Jonah Gadjovich beat the goaltender cleanly from outside the right faceoff circle to give Florida its first lead of the game at 4-3.

Woll also has been adjusting to playing the puck amid Florida’s smothering forecheck.

“They rim a lot of pucks,” Woll said Friday. “I’m just trying to do my best to help us break out.”

Florida hasn’t made it easy on Toronto in that respect. Berube anticipates Woll can learn from Friday’s mistakes and improve, though.

“It’s difficult,” Berube said. “A lot of those rims are up; they’re not on the ice. And that’s designed. If they can get a good lick on it, they’re going to get it on the glass. It’s pretty tough for him to come out and play those. He did get to a lot of them. But they’re coming hard. He’s going to have to move it quick.”

Game 4 of the series is set for Sunday.

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October 7, 2025

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Phillies’ 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the ‘Fall Classic Shake’

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October 6, 2025

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Phillies' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the 'Fall Classic Shake'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.

One of those creations is the Philadelphia Phillies‘ limited-edition “Fall Classic Shake,” which includes a vanilla soft serve, blended with dulce de leche. If that wasn’t enough, an apple cider donut tops it off. Philadelphia has been on a heater in the kitchen recently — it also unveiled a postseason 9-9-9 challenge box last Friday.

Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:

Houston Astros: Fried chicken waffle sandwich

Washington Nationals: Jake and Jake’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich

In collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, the Royals will offer a new item this season: the Z-Man Sandwich. It includes slow-smoked beef brisket and provolone cheese on a toasted kaiser roll, topped with two onion rings.

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Breslow: Sox to take holistic approach to offseason

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October 6, 2025

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Breslow: Sox to take holistic approach to offseason

  • ESPN News Services

Oct 6, 2025, 06:07 PM ET

BOSTON — Craig Breslow isn’t sure how he and the rest of the Boston Red Sox‘s front office will approach the offseason coming off their first appearance in the postseason since 2021.

But Boston’s chief baseball officer feels a lot better about the roster pieces he will be moving around this offseason as they look to continue this year’s momentum.

“We’ve talked a lot about how this window of contention is upon us,” Breslow said Monday during the front office’s season-ending news conference.

He said that ensuring the Red Sox stay in a position to compete will feature a holistic approach. He’s focused on fortifying their pitching staff and continuing to develop the young position players that made big impacts this season.

Those younger contributors will become even more relevant as Boston attempts to hold onto right-handed starter Lucas Giolito this offseason. Giolito was 10-4 with a 3.41 ERA in 26 starts this season. He was left off the postseason roster after experiencing some late-season discomfort in his elbow.

The 31-year-old and the team have a mutual option to work out this offseason.

He joins veteran third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Trevor Story, who both have player options to ponder.

Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million deal in February that included the chance to become a free agent following both the 2025 and 2026 seasons.

Story signed a six-year, $140 million deal in March 2022 that included a player option following this season. If Story exercises his player option, the Red Sox will have the right to exercise the club option then and make the deal worth $160 million over seven seasons.

Breslow declined to say whether discussions are already ongoing with Bregman’s agent, Scott Boras.

“Obviously, Alex has the right as structured in his contract to opt out, and he’s going to do what’s best for his family,” Breslow said. “At the same time, I will not miss an opportunity to talk about his contributions on the field, in the clubhouse, to the coaching staff, to the front office. Every conversation we’ve had I think I’ve learned something about how his impact and influence have rubbed off on his teammates.”

What was also prevalent during this resurgence was the contributions of Boston’s young up-and-comers, including rookie outfielder Roman Anthony and infielder Marcelo Mayer, who both had their seasons cut short by injuries.

But manager Alex Cora said there is just as much optimism about what’s ahead for young pitchers like Connelly Early, who got a taste of meaningful postseason baseball.

“I think we took the steps in the right direction,” Cora said. “Last offseason, during the season, not only as far as what the front office did, but what we did on the field. It was a much better team than the last few years. But that thing that excites me going into the offseason is the pitching. … What we have in player development is real.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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