'He's Got To Play': Sheldon Keefe Explains Maple Leafs' Goaltender Ilya Samsonov Will Start in Goal Against Sabres

The Maple Leafs will start Ilya Samsonov in goal for the first time in a week when they take on the Buffalo Sabres.

Joseph Woll was on a roll but now the Toronto Maple Leafs will be without him for the next little while. What does this mean for Ilya Samsonov?

BUFFALO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their choice in goal for their game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night, and Ilya Samsonov will get the assignment.

Although Martin Jones has been solid in net since he was called up earlier in the month with a 3-1-0 record and .930 save percentage, the Leafs will go in a different direction against a Sabres team that is licking its wounds after an embarrassing 9-4 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

"He's got to play," Sheldon Keefe said of the decision. "We've got to get him going here. That's really it."

Samsonov's last appearance in net saw the Russian goaltender surrender the team's first five goals against the Blue Jackets before the Leafs stormed back to tie the game in the third period. Toronto ended up losing 6-5 in overtime on Dec. 14.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFvnSwasNLs[/embed]

Keefe admitted after the game that he was tempted to pull the goaltender but that goalie coach Curtis Sanford made the case for Samsonov to stay in.

With Joseph Woll not expected to return soon with a high-ankle injury sustained earlier in the month, Jones has been elevated from the Toronto Marlies to the main club and has provided the team with some stable results.

But the Leafs can't necessarily continue to ride just one goaltender and Toronto is looking for spots to get Samsonov in with the hope of building him back up...again.

With the Leafs set to take on the Blue Jackets on Saturday, the Leafs can avoid a return contest for Samsonov and possibly put Jones back in. Or, Samsonov could build on the game and reclaim the starter's position for now.

Samsonov is 5-1-5 this season with an .878 save percentage. In three career games against the Sabres, Samsonov is 3-0-0 with an .877 save percentage.

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