Sheldon Keefe confirms his goaltenders ahead of their back-to-back, Zorhona to make Leafs debut
With the Toronto Maple Leafs embarking on a back-to-back this weekend against the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings, Sheldon Keefe has announced his plans for his starting goaltenders, as well as confirming Radim Zohorna's Maple Leafs debut.
Keefe said that Ilya Samsonov would start tonight against the Senators and is giving Matt Murray the start tomorrow night at home against the Red Wings. Samsonov started their last game against the Florida Panthers and fell in overtime, making 26 saves on 29 shots. Murray last played against Carolina, where he allowed 4 goals on 27 shots in the eventual defeat.
The Leafs have essentially been alternating their starts anyway but with a back-to-back on hand, it was automatic. Matt Murray did play the last time the Leafs and Senators faced off - where he made 48 saves on 52 shots - but Keefe decided to go with the hotter hand in Samsonov tonight.
As for Radim Zohorna, he was called up yesterday on an emergency basis with Wayne Simmonds and Noel Acciari expected to miss time. Simmonds was a 50/50 call for tonight's game but did not make the trip, making way for Zohorna's Leafs debut. Expect the Leafs to go back to the 11/7 formation with Zohorna and Zack Aston-Reese acting as the roamers.
