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Max Domi compares Joseph Woll’s behavior to Carey Price’s
The Toronto Maple Leafs have started the 2023-2024 season on the right foot, with a current record of 5-2-0.

The Leafs have won their last three games, and it wasn’t Ilya Samsonov in goal for those games.

Indeed, the Russian goaltender seems to be losing his position as Toronto’s number-one goaltender to Joseph Woll.

The 25-year-old American is off to a terrific start, with a 1.33 goals-against average and 0.961 save percentage in four games.

Woll only played 11 games in the previous two seasons, but his performances were very respectable.

Last year, he maintained a 2.16 goals-against average and a 93.2% save percentage, which is excellent for a young goaltender.

This season, the Leafs’ 2016 3ᵉ round pick is stopping an average of over 30 shots per game, and he made 36 saves this week against the Washington Capitals.

While the sample remains small, that didn’t stop teammate Max Domi from throwing flowers at his goalie.

“He’s awesome, man. He really reminds me of Carey Price. He’s very calm and relaxed, both on and off the ice. He’s a big guy. His movements seem very technical. I’m not a goalie coach by any means, but he’s exceptional.” – Max Domi

Domi is aware that the season is just beginning, and it’s worth pointing out that he’s not comparing his talent to Price’s. He’s really emphasizing his style of play and his demeanor in front of goal. He’s really emphasizing his style of play and general demeanor.

With the performances Woll is putting in, it looks like he’s getting closer and closer to taking Samsonov’s place as the team’s number-one goalie.

Woll even responded to Domi’s comments by saying he was flattered by his compliments.

“That’s pretty cool. I grew up loving Price. He was my favorite goalie when I was a kid and he’s someone whose game I modeled growing up. So that’s a really nice compliment.” – Joseph Woll

It’s been a tough year for the Russian goalkeeper.

In four games this year, Samsonov has a 4.34 goals-against average and a 0.831 save percentage.

That’s pretty disastrous, let’s face it.

It’s no surprise to see the American goaltender gaining the confidence of his coach Sheldon Keefe.

He’ll do anything to win, and if that means giving Woll more starts, he’ll do it.

Samsonov must perform up to expectations in his next start, as he risks officially losing his position as Toronto’s starting goaltender.

Let’s just say he’ll have to outdo himself to make up for his poor start to the season, but Keefe isn’t too worried in his case.

“It’s early. I know there are questions coming from you, but it’s still early. Let’s just relax. He’s a great goalie who carried us through some tough times last year and he had his best year.” – Sheldon Keefe

Let’s see what the rest of the season has in store for these two goalies.

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