Ilya Samsonov Leaves Maple Leafs Game Against Panthers With Injury, Fall to Panthers in Game 3
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov was removed from Game 3 of his team's second-round series with the Florida Panthers after his teammate — Luke Schenn — went hard into the net while trying to defend against a scoring chance by Florida's Carter Verhaeghe.
The incident occurred at the 25-second mark of the second period. Samsonov, who. has started every game for the Leafs during the club's 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs run, was slow to get up following the hit. Toronto was leading 1-0 and Samsonov had made eight saves on eight shots before departing the game. Joseph Woll came on in relief.
Shortly after the injury, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas came out of the visiting team executives' press box at FLA Live Arena and went over to goaltender Matt Murray and summoned him to be prepared as the club's emergency backup goaltender.
The Maple Leafs dropped their first overtime game of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing to the Panthers 3-2 and are on the verge of elimination. They trail Florida 3-0 in their best-of-seven series.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe had no update on Samsonov's status for the remainder of the series. Woll made 18 saves on 21 in relief.
"I thought Woll was excellent," Keefe said. "He was great. Not surprised. He's ready for this."
Murray, who joined the team on the road, has been cleared to return, according to Keefe.
The question now is if Samsonov cannot play in Game 4 on Wednesday, do the Leafs continue on with Woll in net or do they start Murray after a long layoff?
Murray suffered a concussion in early April and has been out of action since.
The 26-year-old Samsonov helped guide the club to their first playoff series victory in 19 years after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games. Against the Panthers, however, it's been a different story, posting an .877 save percentage in the
Woll made his playoff debut in Game 1 against the Lightning when Samsonov was pulled after two periods.
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