LEAFS POLL: Start Samsonov in goal in playoffs, preferably vs. Boston

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Bring on the Boston Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

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The Maple Leafs should counter with Ilya Samsonov in goal, and have Max Domi on the left wing on the team’s No. 1 line with Auston Matthews and Sheldon.

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Those are thoughts of the Toronto Sun readers who participated in our latest Leafs poll, with the start of the playoffs less than three weeks away.

And not only did general manager Brad Treliving have an underwhelming trade deadline, and on the whole, coach Sheldon Keefe could have got more out of the group, never mind that the Leafs are headed for another 100-point season. 

Thanks to all who participated, and here are the final tallies:

1. Taking into consideration the early struggles of Ilya Samsonov and the club’s injuries, how would rate the job done by coach Sheldon Keefe?

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1. Great, considering the Leafs should reach 100 points again (151 votes)
2. He did what he was supposed to do, nothing special (424 votes)
3. Still think he could have got more out of the group (437 votes)

2. General manager Brad Treliving acquired forward Connor Dewar and defencemen Ilya Lyubushkin and Joel Edmundson before the NHL deadline. I think the acquisitions were … 

1. Underwhelming. Treliving should have done more (532 votes)
2. Enough to meet the Leafs’ needs (388 votes)

3. Had Treliving been willing to go all in, which asset would you have traded?

1. 2024 first-round pick (546 votes)
2. Fraser Minten (218 votes)
3. Easton Cowan (75 votes)

4. Which Atlantic Division rival do you think would be the better matchup for the Leafs?

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1. Boston Bruins (556 votes)
2. Florida Panthers (299 votes)

5. If the Leafs get past the first round, do you think they have a legitimate chance to go all the way to the Stanley Cup final?

1. Yes (276 votes)
2. No (605 votes)

6.  Who should be in the Leafs net to start Game 1?

1. Ilya Samsonov (477 votes)
2. Joseph Woll (364 votes)

7. Presuming Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are on the No. 1 line together, who would be the best fit on the left wing?

1. Matthew Knies (126 votes)
2. Tyler Bertuzzi (212 votes)
3. Max Domi (299 votes)
4. Bobby McMann (200 votes)

8. And if Keefe goes with John Tavares and William Nylander on the second line, who should be on the left?

1. Matthew Knies (132 votes)
2. Tyler Bertuzzi (314 votes)
3. Max Domi (141 votes) 
4. Bobby McMann (235 votes)

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9. If all forwards are healthy, does Nick Robertson have a spot in your Game 1 lineup?

1. Yes (251 votes)
2. No (544 votes)

10. If all forwards are healthy, does Ryan Reaves have a spot in your Game 1 lineup?

1. Yes (315 votes)
2. No (487 votes)

11. Where does Domi best fit, at least to start the series?

1. On the wing (571 votes)
2. At centre (209 votes)

12. Looking at the centre depth, no matter the opponent, what would be the ideal one-through-four up the middle?

1. Matthews/Tavares/Domi/Kampf (192 votes)
2. Matthews/Tavares/Holmberg/Kampf (308 votes)
3. Matthews/Domi/Tavares/Kampf (187 votes)
4. Matthews/Domi/Holmberg/Kampf (53 votes)

13. Which forward, aside from the core, has the ability to have the biggest impact?

1. Matthew Knies (59 votes)
2. Max Domi (258 votes)
3. Tyler Bertuzzi (354 votes)
4. Calle Jarnkrok (57 votes)

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14. The Leafs’ penalty kill has been inconsistent for much of the season and likely will be the worst of Eastern Conference teams in the playoffs. Where is your level of concern?

1. It’s high. The PK could help lead to the Leafs’ downfall (530 votes)
2. I think the Leafs will grit their teeth and get through it, making it less of a factor (180 votes)

15. Which defensive pairings should Keefe use to start the playoffs?

1. Rielly-Brodie, Benoit-McCabe, Edmundson-Liljegren (69 votes)
2. Rielly-McCabe, Edmundson-Liljegren, Benoit-Timmins (134 votes)
3. Rielly-Lyubushkin, McCabe-Brodie, Edmundson-Liljegren (118 votes)
4. Rielly-Lyubushkin, Benoit-McCabe, Edmundson-Liljegren (346 votes)

16. If Matthews finishes with at least 70 goals, a milestone that has been reached just 14 times in NHL history, should he win the Hart Trophy?

1. Yes (324 votes)
2. No (368 votes)

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