Maple Leafs close out back-to-back against Ducks

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings last night was impressive. They embark on a three-game road trip to California to start 2024. With Joseph Wall and Ilya Samsonov out, Martin Jones is next. And the former Kings player performed very well against his former club. Tonight, Toronto continues its journey to Anaheim to close out its first game of the year against the struggling Ducks. After Jones played in Los Angeles last night, Sheldon Keefe spoke to the media after the game and said he will consult with goaltending coaches Curtis Sanford and Brad Treliving before deciding which player will start tonight’s game against Anaheim. Keefe told the media before last night’s game that Martin Jones could start against the Ducks because of their performance against the Kings. So, with less than two hours to go before the puck drops, Keefe confirmed to the media today that he will switch between games against Anaheim with Martin Jones instead of selecting Dennis Hildevie. Martin Jones started again as the Maple Leafs wrapped up their series against the Ducks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings last night was impressive. They embark on a three-game road trip to California to start 2024. With Joseph Wall and Ilya Samsonov out, Martin Jones is next. And the former Kings player performed very well against his former club. Tonight, Toronto continues its journey to Anaheim to close out its first game of the year against the struggling Ducks. When Jones played in Los Angeles last night, Sheldon Keefe spoke to the media after the game and said he would consult with goaltending coaches Curtis Sanford and Brad Treliving before deciding which player to play in tonight’s game against Anaheim. Keefe told the media before last night’s game that Martin Jones could start against the Ducks because of their performance against the Kings. So, with less than two hours to go before the puck drops, Keefe confirmed to the media today that he will switch between games against Anaheim with Martin Jones instead of selecting Dennis Hildevie. Having picked up two points last night against one of the best teams in the NHL, Toronto now faces last-place Dex despite facing inferior competition in the second half of last contest. – I think starting a 6’7 netminder would be a smart move. Especially if they plan to have a rematch Saturday night against one of Martin Jones’ former teams, the San Jose Sharks.

The Maple Leafs played 13 games in January, including a week off at the end of the month leading up to the 2024 NHL All-Star weekend, but have two more games scheduled (Jan. 23). 13/14 and 20/21 January). So without a clear timeline for Ilya Samsonov’s return to the NHL — once he finds his game again — I think it’s best not to extend the 33-year-old too much if he goes with Jones and Hildeby. A third-year goalie who is now your starting goalie.