Veteran winger drawing back into the lineup; Leafs announce starting goalie against Boston

The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that the 25-year-old Ilya Samsonov will start tonight between the pipes for the team against Boston. This is his seventh consecutive start for the team. Samsonov has found his game again of late, posting a 5-1-1 record in his last seven appearances.

Wayne Simmonds will also draw back into the lineup. He has only played in 12 games this season, but given the Bruins' reputation as a bigger, tougher team, it should not be a surprise that the veteran winger of 1,031 NHL games gets the nod in tonight's divisional matchup.


Boston leads the NHL in points this season with an unbelievable 81 points. The Leafs currently sit 13 points back. Despite losing their last three games, Boston is on pace for 133 points this season. For reference, the most points a team has ever recorded in a single season is 132 (1976-77 Montreal Canadiens). This has certainly been a historic season for the B's so far.


After losing their last matchup against the Bruins, the Leafs have an opportunity tonight to start clawing their way back and chasing the league leaders. If nothing else, tonight's game could serve as a chance for the team to prove to themselves that they can compete with Boston should they find themselves in another playoff series against them - and if Boston does come back down to Earth in the second half, there is still an outside chance that the Leafs can catch them.