Will the Toronto Maple Leafs start Ilya Samsonov?
Sunday, Jan. 14. Two-game slate.
* = confirmed or probable
Charlie Lindgren, WSH* at Igor Shesterkin, NYR* (1 p.m .ET)
James Reimer, DET* at Ilya Samsonov, TOR* (7:30 p.m. ET)
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( < 50% rostered on Yahoo, ranked by matchup)
Jan 13, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov (35) goes to make a save during the warm up before a game against the Colorado Avalanche at Scotiabank Arena.Ilya Samsonov, TOR vs. DET (36% rostered)
... dare we? Seeing how Antti Raanta responded Saturday night against the Pens with a 38-save overtime win, perhaps giving Samsonov a little break will help him reset. The difference between Raanta and Samsonov's demotion to the AHL, however, is that Samsonov didn't play any games (Raanta played two).
With both teams playing the second half of a back-to-back, I think it's going to be a tough slog, but I expect a better effort from the Leafs after blowing a 3-0 lead to the Avs on Saturday. I'm not sure what to expect, but if you're just hunting for a win, I would still give the Leafs the edge over the Wings.
James Reimer, DET at TOR (6% rostered)
This will be Reimer's first start since Dec. 27 when he allowed six goals in a loss to the Wild. He's obviously lost the trust of the Wings' coaches but they don't have any other choice with a back-to-back. Most goalie playing against Auston Matthews is an automatic sit.
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