Leafs lose starting goaltender to injury again
Last night, a bizarre situation unfolded as Ilya Samsonov came out to start for the Maple Leafs against the Ottawa Senators. Matt Murray was the announced starter to face his former team, and it would've been his first start in ten days.
Instead, Leafs' coach Sheldon Keefe revealed that Murray had an injury flare up in warm up, causing Samsonov to start unexpectedly. Unfortunately for the Leafs and Murray, this was supposed to be a game to get his play back in rhythm.
Murray's won 11 of his 19 starts with the Maple Leafs this season, and owns a .911 save percentage. He's owed $4.6M by the Leafs until the end of next season.
As Elliotte Friedman noted in his reporting, the team will evaluate the severity of Murray's injury and make moves corresponding to that information, with Samsonov starting for the time being.
There's a possibility that the Leafs could call up prospect Joseph Woll to back up Samsonov. Woll is having an incredible season with the Toronto Marlies, with 12 wins in 13 games accompanied by a .928 save percentage. He was drafted in the third round of 2016 by the Leafs, and has since played only 4 NHL games, earning 3 wins.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531742.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images")
