With 4 goalies at practice, Leafs make surprising goaltending decision tonight against Anaheim
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to take on the Anaheim Ducks at Scotiabank Arena tonight, coming off of one very solid defensive win against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday and a sloppy overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday. Ilya Samsonov started both of those games, and based on his routine at today's morning skate, it originally appeared as though he would be getting the nod. However, that is not the case.
It was a crowded scene at practice on Saturday with all 4 goalies, Joseph Woll, Martin Jones, Dennis Hildeby and, of course, Samsonov taking reps. Despite leaving practice early, Samsonov will not be in net tonight against the Ducks. That honour, instead, belongs to Martin Jones, who is set to return after missing a week with an unspecified injury.
The announcement is a bit of a surprise as Samsonov is 6-1-0 in his last 7 games and has looked much better and more confident since returning from his stretch in December and January with the development staff with the Marlies. Samsonov has played in 23 games for the Leafs this season posting a record of 11-4-6 with a 3.25 GAA and .881 save percentage, though his last month has been very strong, compiling a 1.98 GAA, a .923 SV% and one shutout.
Meanwhile, Jones comes into tonight's start having lost 4 of his last 5 starts, averaging a horrendous 4 goals against over that stretch. All things considered, though, Jones has done everything the Leafs have asked of him this season and more. As a third string goaltender, nobody expected him to play nearly 20 games this season, but that's exactly what he has done.
Coming into tonight's game, Jones is 9-7-1 with a 2.73 GAA and a .908 SV% with two shutouts. Before his recent rough stretch, during which he has lost 4 of 5, Jones went 5 straight games collecting at least a point from January 2nd through January 11th, posting a .957 SV% or better in 4 of 5 games.
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 17 | 773 ANSWERS With 4 goalies at practice, Leafs make surprising goaltending decision tonight against Anaheim Do you think Dennis Hildeby will see any game action with the Leafs before the end of the season? | ||
| Yes | 224 | 29 % |
| No | 549 | 71 % |
| List of polls | ||
