TORONTO — The Maple Leafs envisioned a two-headed goaltending tandem to start this season following a summer of change.
With his partner already sidelined, Ilya Samonsov has an early opportunity to stake his claim to Toronto's crease.
The netminder made 26 saves and Justin Holl scored the winner with 1:55 left in regulation Saturday as the Leafs defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2.
Samsonov started in place of Matt Murray, who was poised to get the call against his former team before leaving the morning skate at Scotiabank Arena with an abductor injury.
"This is hockey," Samsonov said. "Sometimes you get put in a bad situation. I'm ready all the time."
The Leafs announced about an hour before puck drop against their provincial rivals that Murray, who had a hard time staying healthy in two seasons with Ottawa before a trade to Toronto, had been placed on long-term injured reserve and will miss at least four weeks.
"You never liked to see guys get hurt," Holl said. "It's very painful, both physically and mentally for guys."
Erik Kallgren, who was knocked out of the Toronto Marlies' AHL opener Friday, was recalled and healthy enough to dress as the backup.
Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas bet big on the Murray-Samsonov tandem — goaltenders with past success, but lots to prove — in the off-season after trading the oft-injured Petr Mrazek and letting all-star Jack Campbell walk in free agency.
"He's put in a lot of work," Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Murray. "He's been healthy all the way through the off-season, training camp, pre-season. He's put in a lot of work.
"It's disappointing for him … disappointing for us."
William Nylander and David Kampf had the other goals for Toronto (2-1-0).
Claude Giroux, with a goal
as
Claude Giroux
Jack Campbell
Matt Murray
William Nylander
Sheldon Keefe
Petr Mrazek
Kyle Dubas
Erik Kallgren