Keefe pre-emptively announces starting goalie for Saturday's game in Nashville
With the Toronto Maple Leafs visiting the Dallas Stars on Thursday, head coach Sheldon Keefe announced that goaltender Joseph Woll would be tending the twine tonight. This will be his third start of the season and 4th game in total.
With Ilya Samsonov struggling to find his 2022-23 form, Keefe has no other choice but to roll with the hot hand of Woll who has stopped 90 of 94 shots fired his way compared to Samsonov who has allowed 14 goals on 83 shots.
Nevertheless, Keefe was quick to point out that Samsonov will have a chance to avenge his previous start against Tampa Bay, where he allowed 3 goals on 4 shots. His next start will come on Saturday against the Nashville Predators to close out the Leafs' 5-game road trip.
While we've been quick to point out Samsonov's shortcomings this year, Keefe sees both sides to the story and knows Samsonov will be able to get out of his rut sooner rather than later. With the road trip coming to a close, he sees this a prime opportunity to get both of his goaltenders some action before they host the Los Angeles Kings on Halloween:
"[Woll]'s played extremely well, that's part of it. Probably equally as significant is it just gives us more time for Sammy [Ilya Samsonov] here," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of his decision. "Coming off an off day yesterday, you get some good workouts today, get a good practice day tomorrow and then get ready for Nashville. So I think it works out well for both guys."
Samsonov was spectacular last season when he posted a 27-10-5 record in 40 starts with a .919 SV%, a 2.33 G.A.A, and 4 shutouts - all of which were career-highs. Conversely, he's gone 2-1-0 in 4 games this season with a 4.34 G.A.A and a .831 SV%.
There shouldn't be alarms ringing just yet about a goaltending controversy but what the Maple Leafs have in Woll is a competent backup goaltender who can take over the starting duties at any given moment. The Leafs will continue to roll with a 1A/1B situation until further notice but if Samsonov can't get back on track against the Predators on Saturday, Keefe might have to continue rolling with Woll as their 1A.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 26 | 276 ANSWERS Keefe pre-emptively announces starting goalie for Saturday's game in Nashville Will Samsonov win his start against Nashville on Saturday? | ||
| Yes | 162 | 58.7 % |
| No | 114 | 41.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
