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The Maple Leafs have always had the horses in front, but are now building a stable of goalies.

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They’re so ready – yes, it’s only December – that they could put aside Joseph Woll’s five-game winning streak and call on Anthony Stolarz to make 27 saves against the determined Chicago Blackhawks in a 4-1 win on Monday. Stolarz’s eight wins now include six that he achieved after his defeats with a good save percentage.

The duo certainly helped propel Toronto back into first place in the Atlantic Division, as Monday’s result gives them a one-point lead over the Florida Panthers with one game remaining. Stolarz had been overwhelmed by his old team in the 5-1 loss to the Cats a week ago and was determined to make amends on Monday.

With Chicago coming off a lopsided loss the day before and the Leafs having a bit of a break from arriving early Sunday morning from their Florida trip, one might have expected conservative hockey. But after the second half, the teams had combined for nearly 40 shots.

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Stolarz faced more than 20 players himself after thwarting Nick Foligno during a 5-on-3 and back-to-back stops, with Connor Murphy getting a stretch pad and a glove in the same sequence, surrounded by gasping, exhausted teammates.

On the 23rdapprox Chicago’s Lukas Reichel fired a shot just over the Stolarz red line early in the third period, but rookie center Fraser Minten restored the two-goal lead shortly after and Matthew Knies scored an empty-netter.

Arvid Soderblom made the most of a star-studded start in Toronto on national television, but was outgunned when William Nylander saw Auston Matthews go to the net. In tight quarters, Matthews made some nice dekes before scoring his first goal since Halloween with five holes.

After nine outs and two assists in his return game Saturday in Tampa Bay, Matthews showed off all his skills, including a rare rough penalty. He continues his pursuit of Darryl Sittler and Mats Sundin for the franchise goal title, now 15 behind Sittler and 46 behind Sundin. In the second period, Soderblom parried a ball from Matthews that gave him 2,334 pointsTh His career scoring drive moved him past Ron Ellis for fifth place in franchise history.

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John Tavares, who has been in fine form during Matthew’s absence with an upper-body injury, scored 22 points in 23 games with his second creative goal in as many games. He turned away from his check and pivoted with his forehand to block a snap shot off the arm of defender Murphy. There were three more even-strength goals for the Leafs, who struggled to score when Matthews and others were away.

Tavares had told the Toronto media earlier in the day that fellow No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard shouldn’t be discouraged because he’s doing his best and the last-place Hawks haven’t yet reached 20 points mark had been reached. Bedard had some promising rushes on Monday but was held to 19 points in 25 games.

Toronto played without one of its top defenders, Jake McCabe, but Philippe Myers stepped in well and had three shots on goal. The Leafs have an off day and host the Nashville Predators on Wednesday, one of three playoff teams they are currently facing this week.

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