As we saw yesterday at practice, Sheldon Keefe decided to test new line combinations. With the Bertuzzi-Matthews-Domi line performing well for the past few games, and Mitch Marner's return to the lineup, the coach decided to try new things, by spreading the offense throughout the lineup.
The game will also be important to help building momentum as we get closer to the playoffs. Keefe just annouced who'll be the starting goalie trusted to overcome this challenge.
Keefe announces that Ilya Samsonov will get the start tonight against the Montreal Canadiens
Even if the Canadiens will play without two of their top players, Sheldon Keefe decided to go all in and send Ilya Samsonov between the pipes tonight.
The goalie will try to win his fourth straight game, and bounce back from a tough night against the Panthers, where he had a .867 SV% in a 6-4 Leafs win.
If the Leafs want to win, they'll need everyone to bring it all on the ice, in this final clash of the season between one of the biggest rivalry in the NHL.
The Habs are not to be taken lightly. They have a lot of talent on that first line, with Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkosvky. Also, since Martin St-Louis joined the team as head coach, team performances are better. That's especially true against top teams. The Habs showed multiple times this season that they can perform well against the best teams in the NHL.
