Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov ‘feeling better,’ needs MRI before Game 4 status confirmed

Who will start in goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ do-or-die Game 4 against the Florida Panthers? It remains to be seen after coach Sheldon Keefe updated reporters on No. 1 netminder Ilya Samsonov’s status Monday.

In the second period of Toronto’s Game 3 defeat, Leaf defenseman Luke Schenn, tangled up with Panthers left winger Carter Verhaeghe, crashed into Samsonov, knocking him out of the game. Joseph Woll replaced Samsonov from the second half of the second period through the end of overtime.

Speaking on Samsonov’s condition Monday, Keefe indicated Samsonov is “feeling better” but needs a precautionary MRI on his undisclosed injury. With Toronto and Florida not playing again until Wednesday, the Leafs can use the extra day to evaluate Samsonov and make the call on who starts Game 4.

Samsonov was the netminder who got the Leafs this far. He graded out top-10 in the NHL in goals saved above average per 60 during the regular season. While he has come up big for Toronto in a few clutch situations in the playoffs, including their three overtime wins over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 1, his play has been inconsistent. He has an .898 save percentage across nine appearances, a far cry from the .919 mark he posted in 42 regular-season games.

Woll, the team’s top goalie prospect, saw extended action in the stretch run of the regular season with Samsonov banged up and Matt Murray also injured. Woll posted a 6-1 record and .932 save percentage in his limited duty with the Leafs this season. Pressed into duty during Game 3 Sunday, he allowed two early goals but settled in and kept the game tied in the third period, making a number of big stops. While Murray is considered 100 percent healthy and game ready now, Keefe’s comments Monday implied Woll, not Murray, is the preferred option if Samsonov isn’t ready for Game 4. He expressed confidence in Woll and that the “moment didn’t look like it was too big for him” in Game 3.