'We're Just Trying to Change Things': Why Sheldon Keefe Pulled Ilya Samsonov in Favour of Joseph Woll in Game 4 Loss to the Bruins
Samsonov allowed three goals on 17 shots but his play alone wasn't the reason for the switch.
It came as a bit of a surprise when the Toronto Maple Leafs began the third period of their Game 4 matchup against the Boston Bruins with Joseph Woll in goal.
Ilya Samsonov, who had played in every minute between the pipes leading up to that moment, allowed three goals on 17 shots, but didn't look particularly bad on any of the high-quality chances from the Bruins that led to those goals.
So why the pull?
"The reason for it is we're just trying to change things," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said. "You get to get Joe involved. That's really it. You're trying to change the momentum."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRNmZclhQPM[/embed]
After Samsonov allowed his third goal of the game, a 2-on-0 opportunity that Bruins forward David Pastrnak cashed in on, Leafs fans booed their team heavily
The Russian goaltender hasn't been terrible and certainly can't be judged on this game. But he has allowed a few goals from distance that have burned the Leafs at times.
The Trent Frederic goal in Game 3 comes to mind.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VW-mp1bFDo[/embed]
Down 3-1 in their best-of-seven series, do the Maple Leafs stick with Samsonov or go with Woll for Game 5?
"We've got some time here to talk it through," Keefe said.
Samsonov has an .883 save percentage in four playoff games, but was spectacular in his lone win of the playoffs, making 27 saves on 29 shots in a 3-2 victory.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS32NBrLbw0[/embed]
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