Toronto Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said goaltender Matt Murray didn't start on Friday against the Ottawa Senators because he is dealing with an undisclosed injury that flared up.
Keefe had said earlier in the day that Murray was going to start against his old team, but the Leafs turned to Ilya Samsonov for his fifth consecutive start before the team lost 6-2.
Murray appeared to be rattled by a high shot by William Nylander in pre-game warmup, but the latter said the goaltender told him he was fine after the shot.
Keefe would not specify the nature of the injury — only saying it was not an adductor injury that sidelined Murray earlier this season.
Keefe added Murray would not have been able to go in had Samsonov been injured during the game — and that the Leafs would have had to use an emergency backup goalie. Murray was on the bench for the game.
Injuries have been an issue for Murray the past few years. He played just 47 games the past two seasons with the Senators before Ottawa traded him to Toronto last summer.
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