Martin Jones will make his first start in goal as a Maple Leaf when Toronto visits the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.
Jones, who signed an $875,000 deal with the Leafs in the off-season, made his debut with the team in relief of injured rookie Joseph Woll in Ottawa last Thursday, picking up the win by virtue of nine saves in his nine minutes of work.
On Tuesday, the 33-year-old will make his first NHL start since April 8, when he was with the Seattle Kraken. Jones has appeared in five games for the Toronto Marlies in the American Hockey League this season, posting a 2-1-1 record with a 3.37 goals-against average and an .870 save percentage.
But with Woll out week-to-week with a high-ankle sprain and Ilya Samsonov having played Monday in Long Island, the native of North Vancouver, B.C., will get the start for the Leafs at Madison Square Garden. The veteran has 445 games of NHL experience, with a career 2.71 GAA and .905 save percentage, with L.A, San Jose, Philadelphia, and Seattle.
Also getting a spot in the lineup for Toronto is forward Bobby McMann, who has not played since Nov. 30 against the Kraken. McMann, who was recalled on Monday and has two assists in four NHL games this season, will replace winger Ryan Reaves.
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