Maple Leafs’ Joseph Woll to ‘miss some time’ after injury vs. Senators, coach says

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Joseph Woll is “going to miss some time” after appearing to sustain a lower-body injury against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at Canadian Tire Centre, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said.

Woll went to grab a fairly routine save with his glove, stopping a shot from Senators forward Drake Batherson, but collapsed awkwardly on his lower body as he did. The 25-year-old immediately hit the ice in pain and was helped to the locker room roughly halfway through the third period. He did not return.

“We’ll determine the extent (of his injury) when we get home,” Keefe said.

Woll made 29 saves before leaving the game, which the Leafs hung on to win 4-3.

Woll started 13 of Toronto’s 15 games so far this season, saving 449 of 490 shots. With a .915 save percentage, Woll is among the league’s best and the first starting goalie the Leafs have drafted and developed since James Reimer.

The Leafs host the Nashville Predators on Saturday.

What does this mean for the Maple Leafs?

It’s hard to imagine a worse scenario for the Leafs than losing their new No. 1 goalie. As evidenced by his multiple highlight-reel saves against the Senators while the Leafs struggled in the first period, Woll’s job this season has meant keeping the Leafs in games. Woll was in the Calder Trophy conversation heading into the game and stopped 29 of 31 shots in 50 minutes before leaving the ice.

It’s hard to be conclusive but the fact that Woll struggled to put any weight on his left leg and looked shaken heading off the ice is concerning.

Concern was already rampant about Ilya Samsonov following some early season struggles. The Leafs have not been at their best defensively, which only compounds the issue. Add it up and Woll clutching his lower body before being helped off the ice has the potential to be a turning point in their season. — Joshua Kloke, Maple Leafs staff writer