FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Joseph Woll has been unpredictable, unlucky, and — at times — under siege. But for now, he’s the guy in Toronto’s crease, and if you’re betting the Maple Leafs in Game 4, you’re betting on Woll.
With Anthony Stolarz still out and Matt Murray sidelined due to illness, the 26-year-old Woll is the Leafs’ only real option in net as they head into Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Florida Panthers on Sunday night (7:30 p.m. ET; CBC, SN, truTV, TBS, MAX).
Woll by the Numbers: A Bettor’s Dilemma
Since stepping in for the ill-fated Stolarz midway through Game 1, Woll has logged 165:13 of ice time, going 2-1 but giving up 11 goals on 84 shots. That’s a 3.99 GAA (18th among playoff goalies with 2+ starts) and an .869 SV% (17th).
- Toronto ML bettors have gone 2-1 with Woll in net
- Over 6.5 goals has hit in two of the three games
While Woll has helped the Leafs win games, he’s also given up multiple soft rebounds and been on the wrong end of some bizarre deflections — including two off Morgan Rielly in Game 3, one of which sealed the OT loss via Brad Marchand.
“It’s just the bounces,” Woll said postgame. “That’s playoff hockey. Reset and go again.”
Panthers Exploit Goaltending Gaps
Sharp bettors have noticed: Florida is actively testing Woll’s puck-handling limitations. As head coach Craig Berube noted, dump-ins are no longer traditional — the Panthers are lifting pucks high off the glass to make it tougher for Woll to settle and play them.
It worked in Game 3, creating multiple chances and exposing a clear weak spot in Toronto’s zone exits.
“Those dump-ins aren’t just random,” Berube said. “They’re by design.”
From a wagering angle, this trend might push value toward Panthers shot props, early goal bets, or first-period overs if Woll continues to struggle under pressure.
Depth Chart Woes: Hildeby on Deck?
Here’s the scary part for Toronto backers: if Woll gets injured or falters, rookie Dennis Hildeby is next in line. With just six NHL appearances, all in the regular season, the 22-year-old is completely untested in playoff pressure.
Veteran Matt Murray missed Game 3 due to illness and remains questionable for Game 4. Stolarz hasn’t skated and remained in Toronto.
Leafs Offense Carrying the Load – But For How Long?
Despite the uncertainty in net, Toronto has scored 13 goals in three games — including five in the Game 3 OT loss. That’s already more than they scored in five games against Sergei Bobrovsky in last year’s second-round exit.
But expecting that pace to continue is risky. Bobrovsky looked dialed in late in Game 3, stopping breakaways from Nylander and Knies in OT. Bettors backing Toronto will want to consider regression potential on their current goal-scoring pace.
Game 4 Betting Outlook
Opening Lines (as of Sunday morning):
- Maple Leafs ML: -110
- Panthers ML: -110
- Over/Under 6.5: Over -120 / Under +100
Trends to Watch:
- Over has hit in 6 of Toronto’s last 7 playoff games
- Leafs are 1-5 in their last 6 playoff games as a road favorite
- Panthers have scored first in 5 of their last 6 playoff home games
Final Word for Bettors
Joseph Woll has helped get the Leafs this far — but his inconsistent play, combined with goaltending depth issues, could be a red flag as we head into a pivotal Game 4. If you’re putting money on Toronto, you’re betting on Woll to settle down and steal one.
Otherwise, the value — and momentum — may be shifting to Florida.
