Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov ruled out for do-or-die Game 4 vs. Panthers

Maple Leafs starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov has been ruled out for Game 4 of Toronto's second-round series against the Florida Panthers. Samsonov left Game 3 after a second-period collision with teammate Luke Schenn.

Toronto head coach Sheldon Keefe labelled the Russian netminder day-to-day and said Joseph Woll would draw the start for Wednesday's must-win contest.

Schenn bowled into Samsonov after going all out to foil a scoring chance in front of the Toronto net. The Maple Leafs goaltender appeared to clutch his shoulder, laying down on the ice for a few minutes before leaving the game with the help of trainers early in the second period. Samsonov stopped all eight shots on goal before leaving the game. The 26-year-old had started all nine games for the Maple Leafs during the postseason.

Here’s how the collision happened:

Woll replaced Samsonov less than a minute into the second frame. It was a rocky start for Woll, who surrendered the game-tying goal to Panthers forward Anthony Duclair on the second shot he faced before appearing to settle in. After Erik Gustafsson scored to regain Toronto's lead, Carter Verhaeghe buried his fourth of the playoffs to tie the game once again on the 10th shot Woll faced.

Woll played in seven games for the Maple Leafs this season, going 6-1-0 with a .924 save percentage, spending most of the season as a dominant force for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas held a conversation with goaltender Matt Murray shortly after Samsonov left the game, according to Sports Illustrated’s David Alter, before Murray got dressed to back up Woll the rest of the way. Murray began the season as Toronto’s starting goaltender, then battled through a host of injuries before being usurped by Samsonov and Woll on the depth chart.

Keefe did not give any consideration to Murray starting on Wednesday.