Former Leaf and current TSN radio personality Carlo Colaiacovo made a bold prediction about the Leafs come the playoffs. On TSN 1050's "First Up" radio show this morning Colaiacovo stated that he believes the Leafs will turn to Matt Murray for Game 1 of the playoffs regardless of how well Ilya Samsonov is playing.
Samsonov has been the Leafs' number one for much of the season with Murray having dealt with a number of injuries this year, but Colaiacovo believes that, due to his playoff pedigree, Murray will be trusted to start Game 1. While Samsonov has been excellent for the Leafs so far this season going 22-8-2 with 3 shutouts and posting a 2.39 GAA and .915 save percentage Colaiacovo believes it is Murray's job to lose because of his 2 Stanley Cups, .921 save percentage and 2.18 GAA in the playoffs.
Colaiacovo also said "The only way Murray will not be the Game 1 starter is if he's not available or struggling, which is possible." His co-host Aaron Korolnek also mentioned that Kyle Dubas spoke highly, again, of Murray following the trade deadline, citing his experience and his Stanley Cups. With just over a month until the playoffs begin, if Murray can remain healthy and play some decent hockey between now and then, it's not farfetched to think that Colaiacovo could be right.
