‘The talent is there’: Murray’s resume resonates with Leafs

SPORTSCENTRE Reporter

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TSN SportsCentre Reporter Mark Masters reports on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who practised in two groups at the Ford Performance Centre on Thursday. 

Toronto's new tandem of Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov made a good first impression on their new head coach. 

"Today was my first time on the ice with them," said Sheldon Keefe. "I though they looked great. They are real big men in the net who take up a lot of space and move well. Murray looked really dialed in and focused. As far as day one of camp goes for a veteran goaltender, he looked pretty dialed in to me. That was good to see."

Murray, 28, is looking for a fresh start after an injury-plagued stretch in Ottawa. He posted an .899 save percentage in 47 games with the Senators over the last two years. Murray cleared waivers and played a pair of games in the American Hockey League last season. 

"Going through adversity is a huge part of growing and getting better so there's a lot to draw on for me," the Thunder Bay, Ont., native said. "Obviously, I feel like I have a lot to prove."

Murray has already proven he can get it done in the playoffs. He backstopped the Pittsburgh Penguins to Stanley Cup titles in 2016 and 2017. For a Leafs team starved for post-season success, that is a resume that resonates. 

"With any of the players that I spoke to this off-season, that was one of the things they were really excited about," said Keefe. "I don't know how many goalies there are who are playing in the league right now who have won those games and won the Stanley Cup. There are not many. We have one here that has that experience and has the ability." 

Murray owns an impressive .921 save percentage in 51 career playoff games. 

"It hasn't gone