The Toronto Maple Leafs lost Game 3 of their Eastern Conference second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Sunday after starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov left the game due to injury. Samsonov was hurt early in the second period and did not return to the game. Rookie Joseph Woll took over in net, but the Leafs lost the game 3-2 in overtime.
Samsonov’s Injury and Career Best Season
Samsonov, who is in his first season with the Leafs, was originally intended to be a backup to Matt Murray, but injuries to Murray thrust Samsonov into the starter’s role. He had a career-best season with a 27-10-5 record, .919 save percentage, and 2.33 goals against average. However, the postseason started poorly for him when he was pulled from Game 1 of the first-round series against Tampa after giving up six goals.
During Game 3 against the Panthers, Samsonov was bowled over by Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn, who fell into him, causing Samsonov to appear to get hit in the head during the collision. He was down on the ice for several minutes talking to trainer Paul Ayotte before skating off under his own power.
Woll Takes Over for Samsonov
Woll, who was drafted by Toronto in 2016 and made his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, replaced Samsonov in Game 1 of the first-round series, which was his first Stanley Cup playoffs experience. He now has the responsibility of helping to keep the Leafs’ season alive as they trail the Panthers 3-0 in the series. Woll has collected 12 regular-season appearances, including seven this year, going 9-2-0 with a .922 SV% and 2.40 GAA.
Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe did not have an update on Samsonov’s condition after the game. The Panthers have a chance to complete the sweep in Game 4 on Wednesday.
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