Sheldon Keefe names starting goalie for Monday's clash against Chicago
It hasn't been the most solid start to Ilya Samsonov's season so far. Yes, he is 2-0-0 to begin the year, but his peripheral stats leave a lot to be desired. For a 26-year-old netminder who is entering his first season as a #1 goaltender, he has to be a whole lot better.
Samsonov has allowed 9 goals through his first two games and is the owner of a 4.42 GAA and a putrid .839 SV%. Were it not for the Leafs' forwards providing him with a ton of goal support, scoring 12 times through 2 games, Samsonov could very well be 0-2-0 right now.
After allowing 5 goals in his first start of the season, Samsonov was given the benefit of the doubt by Sheldon Keefe and thrown right back in the crease for Saturday night's tilt against the Minnesota Wild. After allowing 4 goals, including 2 very soft ones, against the Wild, Keefe intends to try to stop the bleeding and will start Joseph Woll on Monday.
Woll was spectacular for the Leafs last season, going 6-1-0 through 7 regular season appearances, while posting a rock solid 2.16 GAA and a sparkling .932 SV%. Hopefully he can carry over some of that magic into this season - and if he can continue to play well this year, and if Samsonov continues to struggle, Woll may very well be the Leafs' #1 netminder by Christmas.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 15 | 128 ANSWERS Sheldon Keefe names starting goalie for Monday's clash against Chicago Will the Leafs acquire a defenseman to bolster the blueline before Christmas? | ||
| Yes, they'll have to | 89 | 69.5 % |
| No, they'll begin to tighten up defensively soon | 29 | 22.7 % |
| Won't matter. Cursed team | 10 | 7.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
