Leafs confirm Game 4 starter; Samsonov not available to the team after suffering an injury on Sunday
Sheldon Keefe has already made some adjustments to the Leafs' lineup as the team practices in Sunrise, Florida, ahead of tomorrow's crucial Game 4. We know that Jarnkrok has been reunited with Auston Matthews on the top line and that Bunting will play on the 3rd line with O'Reilly and Acciari. We also know that Kerfoot is expected to play in the top 6 and that there will be a very different setup on the blueline, at least to start out on Wednesday night. We also have a goalie change to announce.
The Leafs' Game 3 loss on Sunday saw the departure of Ilya Samsonov after sustaining an injury following a collision with Luke Schenn in his goal crease during the early stages of the second period. Joseph Woll was thrown into the mix cold and played well enough to give the Buds a chance to win, despite this being his first playoff appearance.
Following today's skate, Sheldon Keefe confirmed that Ilya Samsonov, who did not practice with the team, will be out on a day-to-day basis and that he will not be available for tomorrow's game. Obviously, this left everyone curious to see who the Leafs would start for Game 4.
Woll's .932 save percentage this year proves that he's ready to take on such a task, but to lose Samsonov, who has started every Leafs' playoff game in rounds one and two.. that's a pretty big blow to the team. Luckily, Matt Murray, who has been out since early April with a concussion, is back and has been cleared to play as well.
Somewhat surprisingly, instead of going with the two-time Stanley Cup Champion on Wednesday, Keefe is opting to start the rookie netminder Woll, stating that the Leafs never even considered putting Murray in for Game 4 with how well Woll has played.
Hats off to the kid, who definitely deserves the nod. He's done everything the Leafs have asked of him and then some this year, split between the Leafs and Marlies. Kyle Dubas and company expressed a great deal of confidence in Woll when they opted not to pursue an experienced veteran goaltender to run with as the team's 3rd string netminder.
Woll has taken every opportunity he's been given so far and he's ran with it. There's no reason to think that he won't do the same in his first career NHL playoff start tomorrow night for the Buds in Florida. Game 4, elimination on the line, no pressure, kid. Go get 'em.
| POLL | ||
MAI 9 | 194 ANSWERS Leafs confirm Game 4 starter; Samsonov not available to the team after suffering an injury on Sunday Who are you starting in net tomorrow hoping for a win? | ||
| Woll | 120 | 61.9 % |
| Murray | 23 | 11.9 % |
| It doesn't matter, it's over | 51 | 26.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
