Maple Leafs fans set to gather as team fights to stave off elimination

Fans will once again gather in downtown Toronto Wednesday night as the Maple Leafs fight to stay alive in the NHL playoffs.

The Leafs are playing in Florida, where the Panthers are hosting Game 4 with a 3-0 lead in the second-round playoff series.

It’s the furthest the Leafs have gone in the playoffs in nearly 20 years after making it out of the opening round for the first time since 2004.

Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) says it is set to welcome fans to an expanded area outside Toronto’s Scotiabank arena on Wednesday evening where they can watch the game on large screens.

Spokesperson Victoria Malisani says MLSE’s two tailgate spaces can accommodate about 6,500 fans in total.

Similar to other playoff games, Toronto police say there will be an increased police presence around Maple Leaf Square and the Scotiabank Arena to ensure public safety, minimize disruptions, and manage traffic.

“The crowds so far have been relatively peaceful, and we hope it stays that way,” said police spokesperson Victor Kwong. “We want fans to have a good time, and to celebrate responsibly.”

Puck drop for Game 4 is just after 7 p.m. and can be seen on Sportsnet and SN NOW.

Samsonov out, Keefe shakes up lineup for Game 4

Joseph Woll isn’t thinking about all the work that got him to this point. All the Maple Leafs rookie goaltender is focusing on is keeping his team’s season alive.

Toronto will turn to Woll for Game 4 with No. 1 option Ilya Samsonov out due to an upper-body injury.

“Right now, it’s straight ahead,” Woll said following Tuesday’s practice at FLA Live Arena. “There’s time for reflection. I don’t think that time is now. The time right now is to trust everything I’ve done and everything this team has done.

“As long as I trust that and have some faith, I think anything’s possible here.”

Toronto hasn’t played to its standard against Florida thanks to key mistakes and an offence that’s found the back of the net just six times — including zero goals from Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and William Nylander.

“We have a good group of guys on the ice,” Woll said. “(But) it’s a special group of human beings. The biggest thing right now is belief.

“I certainly believe we have the group of people to do this.”

Samsonov left Sunday’s 3-2 overtime loss after being accidentally taken out by teammate Luke Schenn.

Woll was solid off the bench in relief with 22 saves, including a couple huge stops to force OT before getting beaten by a Sam Reinhart wraparound that gave the Panthers a commanding lead in the best-of-seven matchup.

Joseph Woll has long been groomed to be the Maple Leafs’ goaltender of the future. Now, due to Ilya Samsonov's injury, he’s the goalie of the present.

Sportsnet caught up with the netminder on the day before the playoffs began. (@lukefoxjukebox)https://t.co/H0QlN9es5U pic.twitter.com/qs7t9UW1Pt

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 9, 2023

Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Tuesday that Samsonov is listed as day-to-day and isn’t available.

The Leafs also mixed up their forward lines Tuesday, with Calle Jarnkrok joining Matthews and Marner, while Alexander Kerfoot skated with Tavares and Nylander.

Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari and Michael Bunting made up the third trio.

Keefe also moved T.J. Brodie to the left side of defence beside Justin Holl. Morgan Rielly and Luke Schenn stayed together, but Jake McCabe and Timothy Liljegren made up a new third pair.

“Just trying to change the chemistry of the group,” Keefe said. “We have lots of flexibility.”