Keefe announces goaltender for Sunday's game in Anaheim to close out the road trip
After a lacklustre performance last night in Los Angeles, the Toronto Maple Leafs are in enormous need of a win and, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, will turn to sophomore goaltender Erik Kallgren in goal tonight against Anaheim.
While the Leafs are winless in their last three games, it is hard to blame the goaltending. The issue has actually been a lack of offence and horrendous team defense. Through the past three games, the Buds have only scored six times. In fact, no team in the Eastern Conference has scored less goals so far this season than the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have only found the back of the net 24 times through nine games. A somewhat shocking statistic, given the high-powered offence and the existence of Auston Matthews, the back-to-back Rocket Richard Trophy winner.
Heading into the season, goaltending felt like a weakness, but thus far, it has proven to be a strength. With Matt Murray injured, Ilya Samsonov has been a revelation, posting a .920 save percentage through six games and likely stealing at least a game or two for his team.
As for Kallgren, he is still a young goaltender trying to find his game in the NHL. He has only played 16 career games at this level and has an .885 save percentage in that time. That said, he is still only 26-years-old, with plenty of room for growth.
With an inexperienced starter in net tonight and an offence struggling to find its game, Sunday's game against the Ducks will tell us a lot about the resilience of this team. Another loss will send the fanbase and the media into a frenzy. A win likely lowers the temperature a little bit, as it will move them to 5-4-1 through the first 10 games.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 30 | 442 ANSWERS Keefe announces goaltender for Sunday's game in Anaheim to close out the road trip Will Sheldon Keefe make it through the 2022-23 season as Leafs head coach? | ||
| Yes, none of this is his fault | 68 | 15.4 % |
| No, he's responsible for this disappointing start | 226 | 51.1 % |
| Too early to say | 148 | 33.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
