Even if Ilya Samsonov gets cleared to play, the rookie Woll is the superior option in net.
Ilya Samsonov is hurt. Matt Murray hasn’t played in more than a month. And Joseph Woll has just 13 NHL games under his belt. So who should Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe turn to for Game 4 with his team on the brink of being eliminated from the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs?But in Monday’s media availability, Keefe was noncommittal as to which netminder would start Wednesday’s pivotal game in Sunrise.
After a collision with Leafs teammate Luke Schenn ended Samsonov’s night early in the second period of Game 3, I thought for sure the Toronto netminder would be out for the foreseeable future. But given Keefe’s comments Monday, that might not be the case. At this point, coming back from a 3-0 deficit to the Florida Panthers would be a near miracle for Toronto. And I’m not expecting it to happen, especially considering how intentionally reckless Florida has played so far during the second round series. The Leafs have been far too passive and haven’t been able to match the intensity of the Panthers.
Was it a rookie mistake? Not so much. It happens to goaltenders at every level. But I can guarantee Woll won’t forget Reinhart’s goal. The Panthers make a habit of attacking the net from in tight. I think Woll already has a solution in place should a similar play develop. It’s funny Keefe used that language, because it mirrors the conversation I had Sunday night with a former NHL goaltender-turned goalie coach. “Playing like he belongs,” he said towards the end of the third period.
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