Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov to start Game 7 vs. Bruins after Joseph Woll injured

By Chris Johnston

May 4, 2024

BOSTON — Ilya Samsonov is returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs crease for Game 7 at TD Garden.

Joseph Woll was brilliant in helping the Maple Leafs twice fend off elimination by the Boston Bruins, allowing two goals on 56 shots in seven periods, but he's believed to have suffered an undisclosed injury toward the end of Game 6.

Maple Leafs G Joseph Woll will not dress for tonight's game due to an injury sustained in Game 6.

— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) May 4, 2024

Woll was on the ice for Saturday's morning skate along with Samsonov and Martin Jones, the Leafs' third goaltender and now the backup in Game 7, but twice appeared to labor when sliding to his left to make saves.

At the end of the morning skate, Samsonov did his typical starting routine with Leafs goalie coach Curtis Sanford in the neutral zone before exiting the ice.

Samsonov has an .883 save percentage in the series and a 1-3 record.

Required Reading

• Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews appears poised to return to lineup in Game 7: Sources
• Former Leafs on playing Game 7 in Boston: 'The whole city is against you'
• What to know about Maple Leafs vs. Bruins Game 7: How to watch, preview and stakes

(Photo of Ilya Samsonov: Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images)

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Chris Johnston is a senior writer covering the NHL for The Athletic. He has two decades of experience as an NHL Insider, having appeared on Hockey Night in Canada and the NHL Network before joining TSN in 2021. He currently hosts the "Chris Johnston Show" on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. He's written previously for the Toronto Star, Sportsnet and The Canadian Press. Follow Chris on Twitter @reporterchris