The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Sunday that they have placed goaltender Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve retroactive to December 12.

Stolarz, 30, was injured on December 13 against the Anaheim Ducks during the first period and left the game. Joseph Woll came into the game to replace him for the second period, stopping 19 of 20 shots en route to a 3-2 victory. It was announced after the game that Stolarz suffered a lower-body injury and revealed the following day that he was day-to-day.

Stolarz has been one of, if not the team’s most valuable players to start the season, with a record of 9-5-2 complemented by a save percentage (SV%) of .927 and a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.15. His last game before the injury was a 38-save affair against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night when the Maple Leafs came out victorious with a 2-1 overtime win despite being out-shot 39-15.

Stolarz signed a two-year contract with the Maple Leafs worth $2.5 million annually this offseason, fresh off of a Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers. He was the best backup goaltender in the league with the Panthers and had lots of teams interested, but his play for the Maple Leafs in the first stretch of the season has been everything the team could have asked for and more. He was supposed to begin the season as Toronto’s 1A but started the Maple Leafs’ season-opener after Woll suffered an injury at the end of preseason. Woll has been equally as sturdy as Stolarz since returning, with a record of 8-4-0 along with a .918 SV% and a 2.24 GAA.

Stolarz is ineligible for Wednesday’s game against the Dallas Stars, but the fact that he’s day to day is a good sign for the Maple Leafs. Head coach Craig Berube said on Friday that it was “good news overall” and that he shouldn’t miss much time. That said, Berube didn’t have much of an update to offer on Sunday.

The Maple Leafs will host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, with Dennis Hildeby making the start.