Keefe explains his decision to start Samsonov over Murray following the 28-year-old's brutal outing against Florida
Prior to Thursday's morning skate, it was really anyone's guess who Sheldon Keefe would start in goal against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday evening. Some viewed a quick bounce back game for Murray as the right call, while others felt that Samsonov deserved to get the nod after looking fantastic in relief of Murray on Tuesday, backstopping the Buds to a come-from-behind win over the Panthers.
In the end, Keefe and the coaching staff elected to go with Samsonov, but I don't think either decision would necessarily have been the wrong one. Samsonov, who is 11-0-1 at home this season, likely deserved the start and as Sheldon Keefe explained, the decision wasn't as tough on the Leafs as some had made it out to be.
"In a case like this, the decision is quite easy. Sammy came in and did a terrific job for us (against FLA in relief of Murray). Murr is coming off playing two in a row. This was an easy one."
-Keefe on the decision to start Samsonov over Murray
-Keefe on the decision to start Samsonov over Murray
This likely means that we can count on Matt Murray to get the start in Montreal on Saturday. Following the Buds' road game against the Habs, they'll begin a 5-game homestand, which will conclude with a matchup against the Boston Bruins on February 1st, ahead of the All-Star break.
| POLL | ||
19 JANVIER | 158 ANSWERS Keefe explains his decision to start Samsonov over Murray following the 28-year-old's brutal outing against Florida Did Keefe make the right call to go with Samsonov over Murray tonight? | ||
| Yes | 144 | 91.1 % |
| No | 14 | 8.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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