REPORT: Maple Leafs make SURPRISING goaltending move for game 1 tonight

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Ryan
April 18, 2023 (4:10 PM)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight for game 1 of their seven game series, which is a rematch of last years 7 game series that the Bolts ended up winning in overtime.

Toronto's starting goalie Matt Murray suffered another injury at the end of the season when Lucas Raymond ran into him, which sent Murray hard to the ice, hitting his head and getting a concussion.

So due to this injury, it's most like that Ilya Samsonov will be the starter for the playoffs.

The Maple Leafs made a surprising move today though:

The @MapleLeafs have recalled G Erik Källgren from the @TorontoMarlies to serve as the Club's playoff emergency backup goaltender (EBUG).

The @MapleLeafs have recalled G Erik Källgren from the @TorontoMarlies to serve as the Club's playoff emergency backup goaltender (EBUG).� Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) April 18, 2023

The Maple Leafs were having some cap issues towards the end of the season, which saw them continue to sign goaltenders to "professional tryouts", but now that the salary cap is no longer active, they can carry three goaltenders, or technically 4 no problem.

The Toronto Marlies are about to start their playoffs as well, so with Joseph Woll acting as the backup, and Kallgren sitting in the stands watching, it will be interesting to see if one of them gets sent back in time for the start of the Marlies playoffs.