Breaking a pattern that began the season with Ilya Samsonov getting more starts, Joseph Woll has performed well and the Maple Leafs want to keep riding the hot hand.
Breaking a pattern that began the season with Ilya Samsonov getting more starts, Joseph Woll has performed well and the Maple Leafs want to keep riding the hot hand.
Ilya Samsonov was feeling better now that the goaltender was able to digest his performance in a 3-2 loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday. But it will be Joseph Woll who will get the net on Tuesday when the club hosts the Los Angeles Kings.
"I think he (Samsonov) would agree that Joseph Woll did an excellent job for us on that trip and we want to get him back in," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of his decision.
Woll has been strong in Toronto's net since stepping in in relief of Samsonov on Oct. 21 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The rookie goaltender entered that game after Toronto's presumptive starter allowed three goals on four shots. Down 3-1 in the first period, Woll made 27 saves on 27 shots in 50:36 to guide his team to a comeback 4-3 overtime victory.
Samsonov got the net back on Saturday against the Predators but allowed three goals on 24 shots. He was particularly down on his effort but admitted following practice on Monday that being home with family and having a couple of days to think about the effort made him see it in a positive light.
"I’m feeling more my game. I think everything is getting better,' Samsonov said. "We have some small details of what we’ll work with. For me, it’s more important everything is good. A good mental spot."
An independent arbitrator awarded Samsonov a one-year, $3.55 million deal this summer after the goaltender posted a .919 save percentage in his first year with the Leafs. Woll has long been seen by Leafs staff as their goaltender of the future and now he's become the goalie of the present having posted a .979 save percentage over his last three appearances.
"It’s good for the team and perfect for us," Samsonov said of Woll's performance. "It’s a good competition We’re very friendly and so nice for both of us.
Seventy-four games are remaining in the regular season and the Leafs are hoping to build Samsonov's game back as they will need him to find his game no matter how well Woll performs down the stretch.
"We’ve got Woll in a good place and we want to keep building Sammy up and taking advantage of every day."
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