Ilya Samsonov wanted to push himself extra hard at yesterday's practice, but one Leaf simply wouldn't allow it
Here we are just a day away from the start of the Leafs' 2022-23 playoff run and while many are cautiously optimistic, a lot can go wrong in a series and there are some aspects of the game that one simply cannot control - injury being one of them.
The Leafs have had their fair share of injury trouble this season, especially in goal. So, naturally, when Ilya Samsonov wanted to remain in net following yesterday's practice to play some rebound, Michael Bunting simply wouldn't allow it.
Samsonov has dealt with some bumps and bruises of his own this season, missing a lengthy stretch early in the season after suffering a knee injury in November. He also missed a few games between then and now due to the usual wear and tear. Bunting doing his best to usher Samsonov away from the goal was about preserving his health more than anything else.
Joseph Woll took part in the drill instead, and while he's been solid this season for the Leafs in his own right, I think everyone involved would feel much better going into the playoffs with a healthy Samsonov rather than throwing Woll to the wolves with less than a dozen games under his belt. Bunting knew this, which is the reason why he intervened. Having Samsonov tear his groin in practice and going into the playoffs without him AND Matt Murray would have been a disaster. Again - no disrespect to Woll, but there's a level of inexperience there that I don't think anyone really wants to test with so much on the line this year.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 17 | 882 ANSWERS Ilya Samsonov wanted to push himself extra hard at yesterday's practice, but one Leaf simply wouldn't allow it Do you have faith that a tandem of Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll can beat Tampa in round 1? | ||
| Yes | 785 | 89 % |
| No | 89 | 10.1 % |
| Murray will be back, so it's irrelevant | 8 | 0.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
