Would it really be springtime hockey without Drama in Leaf land? To set the stage, it is Game 7, round one, of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs versus the Boston Bruins. The Leafs superstar, Auston Matthews, has missed the last two plus games, and fans need to know is he playing tonight? The latest from Chris Johnston is, yes, Matthews is in tonight. So all good, right? Of course not, within minutes, Nick Kypreos has some news to report of his own, which has since changed to a definite update. This on Joseph Woll‘s status for tonight. Woll is injured and will not dress tonight for the Blue and White. ‘Kypper’ himself mused at the time of the initial update, ‘can’t make this stuff up.’ Oh baby, drama in the ‘6’!
Status Update: Auston Matthews Appears to be Playing in Tonight’s Game 7
All right, time to catch our breath, first things, first. Auston Matthews looks to be playing tonight for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews led the Leafs in regular season scoring with 107 points over another player who’s missed time in this series. William Nylander had 98 points in the regular season, but missed the first three games of the series. In fact, the last game Matthews played, game four, was the only one both players suited up for in this series. Therefore, having Nylander and Matthews back, combined with the momentum their depth pieces have, such as Max Domi or Tyler Bertuzzi, the Leafs should be okay offensively. In saying that, this has been a low scoring series for the Leafs. However, the importance of having two big scorers in the lineup is huge. Between Matthews’ three point performance in game two, and Nylander’s lone two Leaf goals in game six, having all the gamebreakers they can have, they will take. Finally, upfront, Nick Robertson is a scratch with Noah Gregor playing his second consecutive game of the series.
Last Minute Update in the Leafs Net as Woll Won’t Dress
On the other side of the puck, the Leafs have been decent as well. Especially so since Joseph Woll came in on relief of the struggling Ilya Samsonov. Furthermore, Woll has stopped 49 of 51 shots he’s faced in games five and six against the Bruins. Having Woll out will be tough for the Leafs, given his play in the last two elimination contests. Combined with the fact, that leading into the playoffs, and now carrying over, Samsonov has struggled. Including the regular season, and four playoff games, Samsonov has allowed 23 goals against in his last six games.
It seems like the Leafs will be okay upfront for tonight. The depth guys have done so well responding without Matthews available, and now that he is, everyone will bring their all for game seven. That includes tonightès starting goalie, Ilya Samsonov. Woll had been like his name says, a wall. Now, the Leafs turn to Samsonov. He did go on a 18-3-1 run to near the end of the season, after his demotion. Maybe he can bounce back from another demotion, and lead the Leafs past Boston. Buckle-up, tonight is going to be must watch hockey as these Original Six rivals clash in game seven on a Saturday night.
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