Leafs make emergency move ahead of game vs the Hurricanes

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Austin Kelly
March 24, 2024 (1:31 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs could not have foreseen the late injury suffered by goalie Ilya Samsonov against the Edmonton Oilers yesterday, but were prepared for the event regardless.

Leafs Precaution In Net Pays Off

After Ilya Samsonov's injury against Edmonton, and backup Martin Jones having to play the last few minutes in net against the Oilers, many wondered about the status of Joseph Woll and Toronto's next game against the Carolina Hurricanes. As it turns out, the Leafs had already taken the precaution.

Sportsnet Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman reported Toronto had already sent Woll to Carolina prior to the game, meaning their goaltending situation doesn't have to face any concerns with Samsonov injured and Jones filling in. The move is a benefit to a Leafs team that has kept 3 Goaltenders on it's roster this season.

While Toronto could not have predicted Samsonov's injury, and likely didn't expect it, the Leafs likely wanted to not have to risk all three Goalies being in a situation where their starter vs the Hurricanes is a question mark, sending Woll to focus on his own start, leaving Samsonov to take the helm in Edmonton.

Maple Leafs Head Coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov, who struggled to leave the ice on his own and was helped off with the support of medical staff, has an injury that doesn't appear to be as serious as it looked. Keefe says Samsonov won't be missing time.

The Maple Leafs place third in the Atlantic Division with 89 points and a 40-20-9 record in 69 games played, 6 points back of the Florida Panthers for second.

Samsonov, 27, has a 19-6-7 record in 34 games for Toronto this season, with a 3.12 GAA and a .889 SV%.

Woll, 25, has a 10-7-1 record in 19 games, with a 2.90 GAA and a .909 SV% on the year for the Leafs.