Leafs goalie Samsonov injured in Game 3 loss
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Maple Leafs starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov left Game 3 of Toronto’s Eastern Conference second-round series against the Florida Panthers on Sunday after suffering an injury early in the second period and did not return.
Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe had no update on Samsonov following the game. Toronto fell 3-2 to Florida in overtime, putting them in a 3-0 series deficit.
Rookie Joseph Woll took over in net. Matt Murray — who wasn’t dressed and was watching from the press box — was called down to suit up and serve as Woll’s backup.
Murray hasn’t played since suffering a head injury in Toronto’s game against Detroit on April 2. Keefe said on Sunday that Murray “is available” if the Maple Leafs choose to start him in Game 4 on Wednesday. Murray is a two-time Stanley Cup winner from his years with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has a 14-8-2 record this season with a .903 SV% and 3.01 GAA.
The second period had just started when Samsonov was bowled over by Leafs’ defenseman Luke Schenn falling into him. Samsonov appeared to get hit in the head during that collision and was down on the ice for several minutes talking to trainer Paul Ayotte before skating off under his own power.
Samsonov is in his first season with the Leafs after signing a one-year free agent contract in July. Originally pegged as a probable backup to Murray — who Toronto traded for in July and has two years left on his deal — but injuries to Murray thrust Samsonov into the starter’s role and what turned into a career-best season with a 27-10-5 record, .919 SV% and 2.33 GAA.
The postseason started poorly for Samsonov — he was pulled from Game 1 of Toronto’s Eastern Conference first-round series against Tampa after giving up six goals — but he settled in from there to lead the Leafs to their first second-round appearance in nearly 20 years.
Now it could be on Woll or Murray to help keep the Leafs’ season alive as they trail the Panthers in their series. Woll was drafted by Toronto in the third round, 62nd overall, in 2016 and made his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season.
The St. Louis native collected 12 regular season appearances from there — including seven this year — going 9-2-0 with an .922 SV% and 2.40 GAA. Replacing Samsonov in Game 1 of that first-round series was Woll’s first NHL playoff experience.
