The Toronto Maple Leafs will go back to Ilya Samsonov as their starting goaltender for Game 2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed on Wednesday.
Keefe didn't initially not commit to a starting goaltender for Game 2 after his team lost 7-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1 on Tuesday.
When asked Tuesday night if backup Joseph Woll would start the next game, Keefe simply said it was "too early to know."
Samsonov started Game 1 but allowed six goals on 29 shots in two periods. Woll replaced Samsonov to start the third and allowed one goal on five shots. Matt Murray remains unavailable with a concussion while Erik Kallgren was recalled earlier Tuesday to be the third goaltender.
After the game, Keefe was asked if nerves played a factor in his team's performance.
"I certainly sensed it in the game, we were on our heels a bit early on there," Keefe said. "It looked like Sammy in net was fighting the puck early on, and he's been in such a groove that maybe was a sign of (nerves). But I don't think nerves have anything to do with why we don't defend our net and allow (Corey Perry) to walk out from below the goal line."
After the game, Samsonov was blunt when asked about his performance, simply saying, "I just need to play better."
"That was tough for us," he said. "Not what you want to see in the first game."
The Maple Leafs and Samsonov look to regroup for Game 2. The puck will drop at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT on Thursday on Sportsnet and SN NOW.
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