Toronto Maple Leafs need Joseph Woll to channel Brick Woll’s intensity down the stretch.
Originally posted on TheLeafsnation | By Steven Ellis |
Early on, he was catapulted into the starting lineup, displacing a struggling Ilya Samsonov. However, Woll was sidelined for 35 games due to a severe ankle injury, allowing Samsonov to appear to grab the starting job – at least briefly.
Since his comeback on February 29, Woll has a 2-3-0 record, conceding three or more goals in three games. He was great in his most recent start on Sunday, making 41 saves against Carolina, but he still ended up on the losing end.
Toronto has maintained a heavy goalkeeper rotation for the majority of the season. They didn’t rush Woll in, giving him only five games in 26 days, including a rare straight start against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday. Ilya Samsonov is day-to-day after departing Saturday’s game against Edmonton, and Martin Jones completed the 6-3 triumph.
While Woll’s starts have been irregular, they are attempting to keep him focused and refreshed for the playoff run. There is no clear favorite to start Game 1, but the Leafs will do whatever it takes to ensure that all three players are ready when the time comes.
However, Woll understands the importance of making the most of his opportunities.
“I think if the last game is any indication, he’s building momentum and getting back into a groove,” coach Sheldon Keefe stated. “That’s why it’s important to get him back into the net tonight.”
The Leafs rested on Monday following a weekend of back-to-back games. With a proper morning skate minus Morgan Rielly, Joel Edmundson, Mitch Marner, and Samsonov, the Leafs are reenergized and ready to face a Devils squad clinging to their fledgling playoff aspirations. Toronto is taking it one game at a time, including how they handle goalkeeper assignments, and there is room for experimentation. But one of the Leafs’ key aims is to keep their goaltenders healthy, rested, battle-tested, and confident.
Woll’s return hasn’t been ideal, but he hasn’t played poorly either.
“He’s had a terrible start here, right? “He’s been on the tail end of back-to-backs and has faced some tough opponents,” Keefe said. “So I thought having him in this one tonight was crucial for a variety of reasons. Not just because of how he played in the previous game, but merely to give him an extra start.”
Woll has never faced the Devils, so this will be a new task for him. He’s 5-5-1 at home this season, compared to 6-3-0 on the road. So far, No. 60 has struggled at Scotiabank Arena, with losses to Ottawa, Chicago, Buffalo, and Arizona stinging even more.
What is the good news? Woll has not lost consecutive games. And with some added pressure on Woll to perform late in the season, especially with Tampa Bay closing in on Toronto, sitting just four points back from the third Atlantic Division position, it’ll be fascinating to watch how Woll responds tonight. If Samsonov isn’t ready for the remainder of the week, Woll might play Toronto’s next two games, against Washington on Thursday and Buffalo on Saturday.
Hopefully, the Buds will get another Brick Woll performance tonight, which they know he is capable of.
