Woll understood that he wasn’t the first choice for Game 1 of the playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs had been favoring Ilya Samsonov lately, giving him rest before the Stanley Cup run. Woll didn’t get upset. He stayed focused and prepared.
“It was clear he would keep working hard,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe noted. “He stayed ready as if he would play.” On Tuesday night, Woll finally got his chance. He made 27 saves in his first start in over two weeks, helping Toronto win 2-1 in overtime and narrowing Boston’s lead to 3-2 in the first-round series.
The composed and collected 25-year-old goalie has given Toronto a boost. Game 6 is on Thursday night in Toronto, and it’s the only NHL game scheduled.
“He’s amazing,” said Max Domi, who filled in for Auston Matthews at center. “He’s been waiting for his chance. It shows his maturity and composure when he’s in the net.”
Boston lost a 3-1 lead against Florida in last year’s playoffs and was eliminated in seven games. The Leafs still have a tough task ahead against a team determined to make up for that defeat after a record-setting season.
“As tough as Tuesday’s game was, the next one will be even tougher,” Keefe remarked. “We got their attention.”
Toronto aims to win its first playoff game at Scotiabank Arena since last year’s series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where they lost six games in a row. “We haven’t been strong on home ice,” Keefe admitted. “But we’ve earned another chance to change that.”
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery confirmed that defenseman Brandon Carlo would play in Game 6 after missing part of the last game due to injury. Andrew Peeke is still recovering from injury and won’t return for several weeks.
Woll gained playoff experience last spring when he stepped in for Samsonov, who got injured against Florida. He played in three games in that series, including a win in Game 4. Despite a loss in Game 5, Woll felt more comfortable this time around.
“That experience last year was helpful,” Woll said. “I felt more confident in this situation. With each game, you gain more experience and learn from your mistakes.”
Woll began the 2023-24 season strong with an 8-5-1 record and a .916 save percentage. However, he suffered a high ankle sprain that kept him out for 12 weeks. After his return, his performance dipped slightly, but he remained focused on his routine.
His second win in an elimination game tied him with Gord McRae, Felix Potvin, and John Ross Roach for the most by a rookie in franchise history. “I feel confident when he’s in goal,” said rookie Matthew Knies, who scored the game-winning goal. “I trust him a lot.”
Drafted by the Leafs in 2016, Woll spent three seasons at Boston College before joining Toronto in 2019. Playing against Boston felt familiar to Woll, who grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and played many big games on similar ice.
“I’m enjoying every moment out there,” said Woll. “Playing against the Bruins in an elimination game on a familiar ice feels special.”
