Toronto Maple Leafs Goaltender Steps In And Steps Up AsHe Decide To Help In Strengthening The Squad
The Toronto Maple Leafs have forced the Boston Bruins to a game seven in their first-round 2024 NHL Stanley Cup playoff series. Goaltender Joseph Woll is a big reason why the Leafs are still alive. In their game six victory, Woll stopped 22 out of 23 shots from the Bruins. In addition, he was just 0.1 seconds away from earning his first career playoff shutout. That feat was spoiled by Morgan Geekie as he was able to bury a consolation goal for Boston.
Joseph Woll Getting the Job Done These Playoffs
Since being introduced into the series, Woll has earned two wins, one on the road and one at home. During that span, he’s faced 51 shots and stopped 49 of them. This gave him a .960 save percentage over those two games. Woll first played in this series back in game four when Ilya Samsonov was replaced by Joseph Woll to start the third period while Toronto was down 3-0 in that game. Woll gave his team a fighting chance to get back in the game stopping all five shots he faced in the period.
Since then, Woll has provided a sense of calmness in goal. He rarely over-commits or loses track of the puck. In addition, he hardly finds himself in a position where he needs to make a desperate save. On top of that, he’s great at swallowing the puck. He doesn’t allow rebound opportunities for the Bruins to feast on.
Unfazed by the Pressure
Woll has been put in a high-pressure situation. His team is only one loss away from experiencing another first-round exit. Moreover, all of Woll’s playoff appearances have come in games where Toronto was facing elimination. His run starting last year when the Florida Panthers knocked them out in the second round. Despite being thrown into an unprecedented scenario under the bright lights of the NHL playoffs, Woll seems to be unbothered by what’s at stake for the Maple Leafs, in a good way.
It’s also worth mentioning that he has dealt with a high-ankle sprain injury. That injury kept him out for three months earlier in the season. When he returned he was only able to get in a handful of games before the playoffs began.
After Toronto’s game five win over the Bruins, the 25-year-old said he was, “having the time of my life out there.” Woll is no stranger when it comes to performing at TD Garden as he played for Boston College for three years before being drafted by the Maple Leafs. “It’s a place I’ve played a lot of big games, and to come in here and play the Bruins in an elimination game is pretty special,” he said. Woll will have to put together another one of those great TD Garden performances. Saturday Toronto meets Boston for the final time this season.
