Leafs select starting goaltender for tonight's game against the Blackhawks
The Leafs take on the Hawks tonight at Scotiabank Arena and had their optional game-day skate this morning. Not in attendance this morning include Auston Matthews and Ilya Samsonov indicating Matthews will return and Samsonov is likely to get the nod between the pipes.
Samsonov has had 4 days off since his last start Friday against Columbus, when he posted a shutout because he didn't want to hear the Blue Jackets' cannon go off. Over his last 5 games, Samsonov is 3-2-0. In his two lossess he has save percentages well below .850 and in his three wins his save percentage was .930 or better so Samsonov is looking to find a more consistent form again. Samsonov has been given the starting job due to an ankle injury to Matt Murray and in the absence of Murray so far this season, Samsonov has played very well.
Through 26 games, the pending RFA is 18-6-2 with 3 shutouts a 2.32 GAA and .917 save percentage. If he can find his consistency again, it will go a long way to helping the Leafs secure home ice advantage for their inevitable first round series against Tampa.
