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Ilya Samsonov, warts and all, will be back in the Maple Leafs’ net Sunday night at home against Detroit.
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After one of the worst stretches a Toronto goaltender has endured — poor starts, personal issues and public criticism — coach Sheldon Keefe said it was a collective organizational decision to re-activate the Russian.
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In his past four games, all Toronto losses, Samsonov has given up 21 goals, a few of them true groaners, while losing his grip on positional play. It sank his save percentage to .862 with his overall record of 5-2-6.
The alternative would have been AHL rookie Dennis Hildeby, who backed up Martin Jones while Samsonov was given a time-out and practiced once with the Marlie before a recall late last week.
“We’ve gone through it, it’s a big decision for a lot of reasons, for both Samsonov and Hildeby” Keefe said after a Sunday morning team meeting at Scotiabank Arena. “But you make a (comeback) plan for Sammy. and he’s done the work to be ready for tonight.”
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Keefe said himself, general manager Brad Treliving and goaltending coach Curtis Sanford collaborated on the call. When they determined Samsonov would not actually play any AHL games as part of his re-boot, Sunday’s back-to-back was the logical return date.
“It’s a bigger decision than just me or Curtis,” Keefe said. “You have a guy who is our highest-paid goalie (versus) our top prospect. Getting Hildeby a game in the AHL (Friday’s 20-save shutout) to see where he’s at was important to get him game action.
“This was not just a ‘feel’ thing, you consult everyone and see what’s best for team and player.”
Samsonov had a chance to regain the lead role after Joseph Woll sprained his ankle, but faltered. He won 27 games last year, but incoming GM Treliving held firm on not lavishing a new multi-year contract and took Samsonov back for one year at an arbitrator’s $3.55 million US award.
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The veteran Jones solidified the situation after Samsonov was waived, with Toronto going on a five-game points’ streak. But it has now lost two straight despite holding multi-goal leads, 5-3 to Colorado on Saturday after being up three.
“The mood is not great, it’s tough to come back to the rink after last night,” Keefe said. “But (by noon) you rinse it completely and we’re back for a big divisional game.”
Detroit, nipping at Toronto’s heels in the Atlantic, beat Los Angeles at home Saturday. Ex-Leaf James Reimer is expected to start in goal.
Veteran defenceman Mark Giordano will be scratched, Keefe said, with Conor Timmins coming in. There is at least one other lineup change due to injury to be announced, though Keefe said it was not league goal leader Auston Matthews, who was able to finish Saturday’s game after being shaken up by an unpenalized crosscheck.
The Leafs have had few problems taking leads against some teams, though holding them has been the problem. In four of the past five defeats, they have led by multiple goals, including on Long Island in overtime on Thursday and five straight Colorado goals Saturday.
Sunday marks the halfway point in the Leafs’ NHL schedule.
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