Leafs identify starter for Sunday's game against the Caps

After a disappointing loss to Provincial-rivals, Ottawa Senators, the Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that Ilya Samsonov will get his 7th consecutive start tomorrow against the Washington Capitals with Matt Murray tending to an ankle injury. Murray was stationed to get the start against his former club yesterday but hurt himself during the pre-game warmups. Samsonov was forced to start on short notice and was peppered for 6 goals on 34 shots.

Samsonov was most likely going to receive the start against his former club in the Capitals anyways but with Murray's status uncertain, he will be leaned on even more heading into the All-Star break.

As for Matt Murray, he will be undergoing tests on his ankle to determine the severity of the issue. He has already missed some time this season after injuring his adductor in the first game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens. He returned a month later and went on a tear, sporting a 7-0-2 record with a ridiculous .933 SV%.

Since then, it's been a little rough for the 2-time Stanley Cup Champion as he has gone 4-4-0 in his last 9 games with a .888 SV%, while allowing 25 goals in the span. He was pulled once over that span after allowing 4 goals on 8 shots against a struggling Florida Panthers team.


Samsonov has been a rock in net for the most part this season as he started the year 9-2-0 with a .939 SV%. His career numbers suggested a drop-off heading into December and January and for a few weeks it didn't look good even though he was winning games. He went 3-2-1 in his next 6 games but posted an ugly .867 SV%. He's picked it up ever since and will be needed down the stretch depending on the severity of Murray's ankle injury.