By the numbers: Murray and Samsonov quickly emerging as the best tandem in the league
The Leafs have used 3 goalies and 11 defencemen in 22 games so far this season and are 4th in the overall league standings with 29 points. That is thanks in large to the play of the two off-season acquisitions that had arguably the most question marks coming into the season - Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov.
Murray and Samsonov have only played in 14 of the Leafs 22 games so far due to injuries, but in those 14 games they have been lights out. Murray is 4-1-1 with a .921 save percentage while Samsonov is 6-2-0 with an identical .921 save percentage. The question marks around Murray and Samsonov in the off-season are no longer there and they have quickly become the best tandem in the NHL.
While both are outside the top 10 in goals saves above expected, they are the only tandem with both goalies in the top 15 in that category, with Samsonov ranking 13th and Murray ranking 15th. Samsonov and Murray are giving the Leafs a chance to win every time they are in net which is evidenced by their combined 10-3-1 record.
Once both are healthy again, which could be next week, if Samsonov's traveling status with the team is any indication. He has been participating in practices and looks to be close - though Kallgren will see his 10th appearance this season tonight, having played in nearly half of the Leafs' soon-to-be 23 games.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 26 | 137 ANSWERS By the numbers: Murray and Samsonov quickly emerging as the best tandem in the league Are Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov the best tandem in the NHL this season? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 20.4 % |
| Not even close | 31 | 22.6 % |
| They're close, but not there yet | 78 | 56.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
