The stopper

Samsonov’s pre-season debut keeps goalie concerns at bay

It was only two periods of one exhibition game, but the fact that it went well — shutout hockey — for Ilya Samsonov meant a great deal for the Maple Leafs.

The alternative might have set off early panic about the club’s goaltending gamble, and put too much of a focus on Matt Murray’s first scheduled start on Wednesday.

Instead, Samsonov put his best foot (and sometimes glove) forward, got some cheers from the fans at Scotiabank Arena and earned accolades all around after Saturday’s start to the pre-season.

“Samsonov looked really strong to me,” said Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe. “Took care of a couple of scrambles in around the net. He looked really strong and composed. The bottom of the net was taken care of. That was great to see.”

The Leafs lost that second game of the exhibition doubleheader, 4-2 to the Ottawa Senators. But it was 2-0 Toronto when Samsonov yielded the net to Keith Petruzzelli, who’s destined for the minors.

“First game, you’ve got some nerves, for sure,” said Samsonov. “But in the second period, faced more shots and you were more in the game — you feel it more — but I feel good. A little bit tired because it’s pre-season, but still good.”

Language is a bit of a barrier for the Russian goalie, entering his fifth season in North America after joining the AHL’s Hershey Bears, the top farm team of the Washington Capitals, in 2018. But he did make the local media chuckle when asked about his nerves: “I’m nervous in a first game with the group. It’s normal, new player on the team. I’m really enjoying it here (with) everybody’s support. I feel great, but nervous is good for a human.”

Nervous is also a good way to describe the fan base when it comes to general manager Kyle Dubas’s goaltending choices.

When he started in the role, he inherited Frederik Andersen backed up by the able Curtis McElhinney, but let McElhinney go on waivers in favour of Garret Sparks. That led to a series of decisions and a trade with the Los Angeles Kings for Jack Campbell, who fared well for the most part. Andersen left as a free agent, replaced by the Petr Mrázek, a disastrous decision.

Then Campbell left for Edmonton in free agency, Mrázek was mercifully traded to Chicago and Dubas is starting over with a pair of reclamation projects: Samsonov and Murray, under the guidance of new goalie coach Curtis Sanford.

Samsonov was available as a free agent because the Capitals wanted an upgrade in net and signed Stanley Cup winner Darcy Kuemper. Murray was available via trade because, after a Mrázek-like season in Ottawa, the Senators were willing to pay part of his salary to any team that would take the remaining two years of his deal.

So, first impressions are going to matter.

The first impression of Samsonov was a positive one. Murray’s debut comes Wednesday, with the Montreal Canadiens in town. He will play the first 40 minutes.

Murray has addressed the media only once since camp opened Wednesday. When he did, he spoke of building relationships, trust and rebuilding his game. He won two Stanley Cup rings in Pittsburgh before two disastrous years in Ottawa.

“Going through adversity is a huge part of growing and getting better,” said Murray. “So there’s a lot to draw on for me. I feel like I have a lot to prove.”

They’ll probably operate as a tandem, at least to start the regular season. Realistically, if one of them bounces back it would be considered a success.

“The relationship among goalie partners is a pivotal one,” said Murray. “You need to push each other and compete with each other, and have each other’s back. He’s the only other guy that can relate to the position we’re in.”

The truth is, the Leafs have enough firepower to overcome mistakes in net. They don’t need a goalie to steal too many games, just to stop the shots they’re supposed to. And the defensive structure is strong enough that they won’t face a lot of high-danger scoring chances.