Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe announces starting goaltender and changes to lineup ahead of matchup with Blackhawks

After missing last night's game against the Montreal Canadiens and Friday's practice with an ongoing illness, goaltender Ilya Samsonov returns to the crease tonight to make his eleventh start in thirteen games. In his last ten starts, Samsonov has shut the door with an 8-1-2 record over that span.

In 27 games this season, Samsonov has an overall record of 19-6-2 with a 0.918 SV% and a 2.31 SV%. As the Leafs beat the Blackhawks 5-2 just this past Wednesday, Samsonov will look to repeat his performance tonight in Chicago to propel his team to their third straight win.

On another note, Keefe announced that defenseman Rasmus Sandin would be sitting out tonight to aid some bumps in bruises suffered last night against the Canadiens. Drawing back into the lineup is defenseman Conor Timmins, who has proved time and time again he should be in the Leafs lineup.

In 19 games since being traded to the Leafs, Timmins has 2 goals, 11 assists, tallying for 13 points. Although it shouldn't take an injury to another defenseman for Timmins to make his way back into the lineup, he's been a reliable addition to the Leafs blueline throughout his tenure with the team. With Sandin, one could hope he won't be out long with the playoffs right around the corner.