After his Game 6 win on Thursday, Woll has a career .933 save percentage in the playoffs.
After his Game 6 win on Thursday, Woll has a career .933 save percentage in the playoffs.
Joseph Woll stood tall amidst all the chaos around him inside Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.
The 25-year-old only faced one registered shot as he stepped off the ice after the first period of Game 6. However, that's not to say he didn't have a busy opening period on Thursday.
Woll was tested quite a few times by the Boston Bruins in the opening frame but was able to stay ready for whatever approached him next.
"It was awesome to see in front of me. It gives me a lot of confidence back there when our group has been playing like that the past couple games," Woll said on Thursday night, "guys are laying out, blocking shots and coming up big in those moments."
The playoffs are all about the moment. Every team needs different players to come up clutch at crucial times in the postseason. That's how groups can be remembered as a special team.
Almost every player has raised their game for the Maple Leafs in their quest to win this series after being 3-1 down to Boston. Woll, who has started in Games 5 and 6 for Toronto, and won them both while putting up a stellar .964 save percentage, might be at the top of the list.
"Yeah, it's not easy to step into a playoff series. He's done an amazing job. He was big for us in the last game and tonight especially," said Tyler Bertuzzi after Game 6. "Saving us when we weren't there for him. He's just going to continue to do that."
As Woll exited the ice after the game on Thursday night — after yet another seed of doubt was likely planted into the Bruins' minds — there was likely a moment to breathe.
After all, he has stopped 54 of 56 shots in this series since coming in for Ilya Samsonov in the third period of Game 4.
"I think we got a glimpse of it last year and I think he's gotten the opportunity again here this year and he's showing the type of netminder he is," John Tavares said following the Maple Leafs' Game 6 win.
"I think just the talent is one thing but obviously the determination, the belief in himself and just enjoying the moment, trying to thrive with it and obviously exceptional for us tonight and back to game five as well."
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=018e0FDEfmU[/embed]
This is the type of game that Woll seems to thrive in. When all the chips are down and Toronto has their backs against the wall, he flourishes, and at the same time, continues to get stronger.
"It's been tremendous to see, you know, two shots in the first game in the first period that he played and then one shot here tonight. The guys are also competing for him, giving him every opportunity to find his way in the series and then he's rewarding them, you know, when there are breakdowns, he's been great," said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe.
"Their goalie's been really good and Woller's come in and match that."
Toronto will head to Boston on Friday for the elusive Game 7 which goes down Saturday night. If you look at the recent history of the Maple Leafs in the playoffs, it's tough to find a game bigger than this one.
Woll, who spent three seasons at Boston College and played in the Beanpot before going pro, knows what it's like to play massive games inside TD Garden. And he's eager for another one in what could be the biggest game of his life.
"I'm very excited. It's a great building to play in, and it's going to be a great game."
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