Woll embracing opportunity for bigger role with Leafs: 'I feel ready'

Joseph Woll is trending upward on the Toronto Maple Leafs' goalie depth chart, and he feels that now's the perfect time to seize the opportunity.

"This year, it just feels like all the experiences I've had recently have prepared me for this. I feel ready," Woll said, per Sportsnet's Luke Fox.

Woll played a huge role in Saturday's comeback win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, stopping all 29 shots he faced after Ilya Samsonov was pulled in the first period. The performance earned Woll the start for Toronto's next game against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

Woll has been working to this point since being drafted 62nd overall in 2016, but only recently has he felt comfortable with the possibility of being an NHL starter.

"No, I think it's perfectly on time," he said. "I don't think I was ready to be at this point a year ago, two years ago. Every experience I've been afforded has made me ready."

Woll has recorded 13 NHL appearances dating back to the 2021-22 season, posting a 10-3 record with a .928 save percentage and 2.28 goals against average. He also made two starts during the second round of the 2023 playoffs after Samsonov was hurt, winning one of those games.

Samsonov was Toronto's primary starter last season and posted career bests in wins (27), save percentage (.919), shutouts (four), and goals saved above average (17.4). He's been unable to replicate that form in the new campaign, owning a .831 clip and 4.34 goals against average through four showings.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe recently said he welcomes the prospect of his two goalies competing internally.

"Oh, he's pushing," Keefe said of Woll on Saturday. "That's it. That's what you want. You want everybody pushing one another. That's what we got."

The Maple Leafs are 3-2 with an even goal differential (19 for, 19 against) on the season thus far.