Maple Leafs superstar a game-time decision for Game 7

While their game on both sides of the puck has undoubtedly improved after going down 3-1 in the series, Woll’s goaltending is the primary reason the Leafs have reached Game 7. The 25-year-old entered the series in the third period of Game 4, relieving Samsonov after he’d allowed three goals on 17 shots. He’s been incredible since, stopping 54 of 56 shots faced across seven periods plus Game 5’s brief overtime. That’s good enough for a .964 SV%, 0.86 GAA and 4.3 goals saved above expected, per MoneyPuck. Woll was 0.1 seconds away from a shutout in Game 6, but a Morgan Geekie shot crossed the goal line just before time expired.

It’s hard to blame Samsonov entirely for the Leafs’ three losses in the series, especially with Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman and his .947 SV% at the other end. But after an inconsistent regular season that ended on a high note, Samsonov has been decidedly below average with a .883 SV%, 3.31 GAA and -1.8 goals saved above expected in the series. Only the Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin (-2.4 GSAx) and the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck (-5.0 GSAx) have cumulatively allowed more rubber below league average given the shot quality they’ve faced.

If Matthews is able to return, there’s no indication he’ll be at 100%. With Toronto’s new-look first line of Max Domi centering Tyler Bertuzzi and Mitch Marner posting better results in the series than Matthews with Bertuzzi and Domi on his wings, he may slot lower in the lineup than usual. While he may not have his normal impact at even strength, Matthews will be an important factor in jump-starting Toronto’s dreadful power-play, which has gone just 1 for 20 (5.0%) in the series. Only the Kings, who failed to convert on their 12 power-play opportunities against the Oilers, have fared worse.