Leafs projected starting goaltender for tonight's game identified

Samsonov is coming off of a disappointing 5-3 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. In the game, Samsonov stopped 23 of 27 shots allowing four goals past him against a league-low Blackhawks team. It was obvious that he was still battling an ongoing illness on Sunday and was not 100% ready to go. Samsonov looked shaky, allowing a few weak goals past him that he typically stops, handing yet another win to a bottom-feeder team.

With a couple of extra days to rest, he should be more rejuvenated and closer to full health ahead tonight's matchup with the Sabres. Tonight's game marks his 12th start in 14 games. In 28 games this season, Samsonov has an overall record of 19-7-2 with a 0.915 SV% and a 2.38 GAA.

The game tonight will be the second time these two teams matchup this season, with the Leafs coming out on top in the first match by a score of 5-2 in November. Since they last met, the Sabres have improved drastically and are riding a two-game win streak and a 6-3-1 record in their last ten games. They sit third in scoring, sixth in power play percentage, and second in shooting percentage this season.

Simply put, Samsonov and the Leafs will need a much more complete effort tonight against a team currently chasing a wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. The effort that they put forth in Chicago just wasn't good enough.