{"id":2581,"date":"2023-12-21T19:04:17","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T19:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=2581"},"modified":"2023-12-21T19:04:18","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T19:04:18","slug":"maple-leafs-choice-goalie-jones-samsonov","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/12\/21\/maple-leafs-choice-goalie-jones-samsonov\/","title":{"rendered":"Maple Leafs Choice in the Crease? Jones or Samsonov"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a goaltending crossroads<\/a> both shortly and over the next couple of months. Tonight, the team prepares to face the Buffalo Sabres; and, during the writing of this post, the starting goalie was finally confirmed. It will be Ilya Samsonov’s turn because Martin Jones played on Tuesday against the New York Rangers and had a tough-luck 5-2 defeat. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Martin Jones, now with the Maple Leafs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This last week, Martin Jones made consecutive starts and Ilya Samsonov waited in the wings. However, in Tuesday’s game, Jones faced 32 shots, making 28 saves. Three of those goals were just strange bounces. However, the one goal he let in broke the 2-2 tie and proved to be the turning point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jones’ .886 save percentage for the game looks worse than it was. In his starts on the season, he has shown both skill and resilience. He looks to be a solid NHL veteran, which should be no surprise. He is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Nick Robertson Would Shine in the Maple Leafs\u2019 Top-Six? So?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bad Bounces in a Maple Leafs Game Doesn’t Mean Bad Goalie Play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The third goal against the Rangers was disappointing, which Jones acknowledged after the game. However, it didn’t make the Maple Leafs go back to square one with their thinking about Jones’ value. He’s been a solid keeper with the team thus far this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, the Maple Leafs are in a situation where they have to evaluate their goalie options. That makes both Jones’s and Samsonov’s plays come under scrutiny. And, based on their recent performances, the truth is that Samsonov is not showing as well as the other two choices in the net. That’s surprising in a way because he was the team’s first choice when the season started to be its No. 1 goaltender. Can he reclaim that position?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jones joined the Maple Leafs in late August. Since Samsonov fell ill and when Joseph Woll was injured, Jones took over. Surprisingly, Jones has outperformed Samsonov during this period. And, while that’s good for the team’s success, it makes head coach Sheldon Keefe’s decision more complex.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Hockey Insider Names Three Problems with the Maple Leafs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the Maple Leafs Question Is Between Jones and Samsonov<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Tuesday’s third goal was a setback for Jones, it likely wasn’t a big one for the newest Maple Leafs goalie. Now, the question remains. Should the team stick with the experienced Jones or allow Samsonov a chance to regain his form? Tonight answer? Samsonov gets another crack at redemption.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As the Maple Leafs head into a matchup with the struggling Sabres, can the team rise to protect Samsonov? It did just that during his shutout on December 9 against the Nashville Predators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than in the net, no lineup changes are anticipated for tonight’s game. That likely means the lingering flu bug isn’t as aggressive as it has been. Maple Leafs fans have to hope that Samsonov can create an impending decision when Woll comes back from his injury by having a stellar game in the crease tonight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The choice seems far from over for the Maple Leafs. However, something has to give in January when Woll returns from his injury. What it will be is anyone’s question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Maple Leafs Quick Hits: Jones, Matthews & Tavares<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tonight, when the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Buffalo Sabres, Ilya Samsonov will be in goal. Can he have a solid game? If so, then what?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[33,160],"class_list":["post-2581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-toronto-maple-leafs","tag-ilya-samsonov","tag-martin-jones"],"yoast_head":"\nMaple Leafs Choice in the Crease? Jones or Samsonov<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Tonight, when the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Buffalo Sabres, Ilya Samsonov will be in goal. Can he have a solid game? 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