Projected starter for the Leafs against the Red Wings identified, albeit after some confusion
The Leafs have been in the habit of alternating starts for their goaltenders for much of the season with little deviation. Recently, however, after a rough start against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 22nd, Ilya Samsonov approached the coaching staff, wanting to get right back in the net in their next game against the St. Louis Blues on December 27th, following the break. Samsonov did skate away with the win in both games, but did not look spectacular in either outing. This morning, it appeared as though the Leafs would give Murray the same opportunity to rebound after a horrendous start against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday. Now, it seems as though that is not the case.
Per Sports Illustrated's David Alter, Murray occupied the home net during Saturday's game-day skate, but Samsonov was the first goaltender off the ice, which is the routine of the team's starting goaltender. It had caused some mild confusion, however, the Leafs confirmed that Samsonov would indeed get the start shortly thereafter.
Murray allowed 5 goals on just 26 shots against the Kraken on Thursday in what was the worst start of his tenure as a Leaf so far. With the Leafs having struggled mightily in net since the middle of December, perhaps the idea was to give him an extra day to get his wits about him before slotting him in on the 2nd half of the team's back-to-back tomorrow against Philly.
Murray has posted a SV% above .900 just twice in his last 5 starts - a 6-2 win in Colorado on New Year's Eve, and a 4-1 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 20th. He has not faced more than 28 shots in any of his last 5 outings.
His record now stands at 9-4-2 across 15 starts, with a 2.61 GAA and a .913 SV%. Still respectable numbers, but nowhere near the level at which he was playing to start the year. Similarly, Samsonov has struggled as well, posting sub .900 save percentages in each of his last 4 starts. The Leafs have to get these guys going and hopefully it begins tonight for Samsonov in Toronto against the Wings.
| POLL | ||
7 JANVIER | 175 ANSWERS Projected starter for the Leafs against the Red Wings identified, albeit after some confusion Will Ilya Samsonov pick up the win against the Red Wings on Saturday? | ||
| Yes | 157 | 89.7 % |
| No | 18 | 10.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
