The Toronto Maple Leafs are visiting the Edmonton Oilers tonight, carrying a three game losing streak into the matchup, while Edmonton is red hot, having not lost a game since December 19th, a streak that has extended to ten games.
There was a great deal of speculation coming into this one as to whom the Leafs would give the nod to in goal. Well, head coach Sheldon Keefe will be going back to his most reliable option in net in Martin Jones on Tuesday. The 34-year-old has started in seven of the last eight games for Toronto, going 4-3 during that stretch.
Jones began the season as the third option on the depth chart but due to injuries and less than adequate play from Iyla Samsonov, the veteran netminder has grabbed onto the Leafs' net with both hands. Jones has a 8-4-1 record with a 2-30 GAA and .924 save percentage so far this season.
The British Columbia native has become a huge story after coming to the team as an under the radar signing. With Joseph Woll nursing an ankle injury and Samsonov being virtually unplayable during long stretches, it has been Jones who has come in and saved Toronto's season when they needed it most.
Jones will face a tough test tonight against the best player in the world in Connor McDavid. The Oilers captain has registered at least a point in twenty two of the last twenty three games. Jones will have to be at the very top of his game if the Leafs want to have any hope of halting their losing skid at 3 games.
