Joseph Woll Bails Out the Toronto Maple Leafs

Last spring, I was interviewing Kevin Reiter, now an assistant coach at the University of Michigan but at the time, director of player personnel for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. Reiter had also worked as goalie coach at the NTDP, and as we were wrapping up, he made it a point to mention he had recently texted former pupil Joseph Woll to tell him how proud he was of all the work Woll had put in over the years to get to the pro ranks.

At the time, Woll had barely started his NHL career with the Toronto Maple Leafs - but less than a year later, he has been one of the most integral members of the team this season.

While Mitch Marner's 'bubble hat trick' and shootout-winner (he was wearing a full face shield to protect stitches on his jaw) against Seattle were the main headline in Toronto's 4-3 victory on Thursday night, the Leafs likely don't get the points at all without Woll.

The 25-year-old netminder has been crucial for a Leafs team still finding its level this season and against the Kraken, Woll stopped 37 of 40 shots plus both shootout shooters for the win. It's the fourth game in a row that he's made at least 32 saves.

"He's been outstanding," said defenseman Morgan Rielly. "We've kind of made it tough on him, putting some extra miles on him with the overtimes and shootouts - which we want to fix - but for him to hang in there for us and play great is awesome."

For the goaltender himself, however, it's all part of the job - even if things go for 65 minutes or more on the night.

"It's a lot of fun when the game is on the line and you get the opportunity to step up," Woll said. "There's more space out there for guys to make plays, so I just try to enjoy it."

And the Leafs usually enjoy themselves when Woll has been between the pipes. Per moneypuck.com, his 7.8 goals saved above expected this season rank him seventh in the NHL, just behind Boston's Jeremy Swayman and L.A.'s Cam Talbot - two netminders who have rightly been given a lot of positive press so far. Woll is also stopping more high-danger shots than expected and has frozen the puck more than anyone else in the NHL (which can be taken two ways, because it means a defensive zone draw, but it also means chaos has been contained).

Thrust into the net during last year's playoffs, Woll has unfortunately benefitted from Matt Murray's long-term injury status, sharing the crease with Ilya Samsonov for much of that time. And while Samsonov was seen as the obvious starter coming into this season, it has been Woll in the net more often lately, with the numbers to back up the decision.

"Joe is super composed, making save after save, handling the puck well, too," said defenseman Jake McCabe. "We have all the confidence in the world in both those guys."

And ultimately, that's what so much of goaltending comes down to. Indeed, it certainly helps that Woll is 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds with the ability to make highlight-reel stops like he did against Seattle, but the still-green NHLer isn't playing like a newbie. In fact, we probably shouldn't be surprised at how the Missouri native turned out.

Back when Woll was at the NTDP, his battery mate in net was none other than Jake Oettinger, now one of the NHL's steadiest goaltenders and a star in Dallas. Woll actually had slightly better numbers in their U-18 season and put up the best stats of any goalie at the world under-18s, where Team USA won bronze and the pair split duties. Oettinger went on to play for Boston University, while Woll headed out to archrival Boston College.

Oettinger may have found NHL success earlier than his NTDP buddy, but the Leafs have truly needed some of Woll's big performances this year, as their team defense has not been as good as it has been in previous campaigns. Confidence has been a big part of his success, and he seems to have the right philosophy to continue his stellar play.

"It's pretty steady," he said. "I try to approach each game the same way and regardless of the outcome I try to keep the same mindset; make sure I'm learning and moving forward after each game. I've been fortunate to have some good outcomes here and I'm just trying to keep my eyes moving forward."

If he does that, then the Leafs can keep moving forward - and potentially toward a significant playoff run in the spring.