Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Cool winds hitting at bad time
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Samsonov made 27 saves Saturday in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Red Wings.
Toronto fans are holding their collective breath right now because Samsonov has allowed 11 goals on 52 shots over his last two games. He made some 10-bell saves in the third, but this is a bad time for Samsonov to get cold with the playoffs right around the corner.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Gets starting nod
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Samsonov will patrol the home crease versus the Red Wings on Saturday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Samsonov struggled mightily in his last start Thursday against the Devils, surrendering six goals on just 20 shots en route to a 6-5 defeat. He'll try to bounce back in a middling home matchup with a Detroit team that's averaging 3.05 goals on the road this year, 15th in the NHL.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Not his night
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Samsonov made 14 saves in a 6-5 loss to New Jersey on Thursday.
It wasn't Samsonov's night. The Leafs hung him out to dry early, and he never recovered. Every goalie has games like this, so fans need to take a deep breath. It's better to get it out of his system now than have a game like this happen in the playoffs. Samsonov should be fine down the stretch.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Facing Devils
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Samsonov will patrol the home crease versus the Devils on Thursday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Samsonov was sharp in his last start Monday against the Penguins, turning aside 31 of 33 shots en route to a 3-2 victory. He'll try to extend his personal winning streak to six games in a home matchup with a struggling New Jersey team that's dropped five of its last six games and just lost Jack Hughes (shoulder) for the rest of the season.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Sharp in OT win
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Samsonov stopped 30 of 32 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory over the Penguins on Monday.
Samsonov was solid Monday, holding Pittsburgh to a Rickard Rakell goal in the first period and Drew O'Connor's game-tying marker in the third before eventually earning the win in overtime. It's the fifth straight win for Samsonov, who's posted a .929 save percentage in that span. Overall, the 27-year-old netminder is 23-6-7 with an .895 save percentage and 3.00 GAA this season. Joseph Woll figures to get the start Tuesday in New Jersey in the second leg of a back-to-back, lining up Samsonov for a home matchup with the Devils on Thursday.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: First off Monday
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Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, according to Mark Masters of TSN, indicating he will patrol the home crease Monday against Pittsburgh.
Samsonov has won his past four starts, stopping 115 of 124 shots during that span for a .927 save percentage. He has picked up 17 of his 22 wins this season over his past 21 appearances. The Penguins sit 20th in the league this campaign with 3.03 goals per contest.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Fourth win in row
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Samsonov made 24 saves in a 4-2 win over the Canadiens on Saturday.
Samsonov has rung up four straight wins, including one shutout. He's improved to 17-4-1 since the netminder was banished to the AHL for a reset. Samsonov's overall numbers are a touch queasy (3.03 GAA, .893 save percentage), but his record speaks for itself.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Between pipes Saturday
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Samsonov will guard the road crease versus Montreal on Saturday, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Samsonov has won his last three starts, including a 34-save shutout in Buffalo a week ago. He is 21-7-6 with a 3.06 GAA and an .892 save percentage. Samsonov has played well since returning from his demotion to the minors, going 16-4-1 with a 2.51 GAA and a .912 save percentage. The Canadiens have scored 205 goals, 27th in the league.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Hangs on for win
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Samsonov allowed four goals on 30 shots in Monday's 6-4 victory over the Panthers.
Samsonov allowed just one goal through the first two periods before Florida responded with three tallies in the third, cutting Toronto's lead to 5-4. However, Samsonov and the Maple Leafs would hang on for the eventual 6-4 win. It's the third straight win for the 27-year-old netminder, who improved to 21-6-7 with an .892 save percentage and 3.06 GAA this season. Samsonov figures to be back between the pipes Wednesday when the Maple Leafs host Tampa Bay.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Set to face Panthers
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Samsonov will protect the home net Monday against Florida, according to Mark Masters of TSN.
Samsonov is coming off a 34-save shutout victory over Buffalo on Saturday. He has earned a 20-6-7 record this season with a 3.03 GAA and an .893 save percentage through 35 games played, but he has gone 12-2-1 with a .910 save percentage across his past 15 outings. Florida ranks 14th in the league with 3.19 goals per contest this campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Brilliant in shutout win
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Samsonov made 34 saves Saturday in a 3-0 win over Buffalo.
Samsonov made 15 stops in the third period alone to preserve his third shutout of the season. "Sammy was fantastic," Toronto captain John Tavares said after the game. "No doubt he was our best player." Samsonov was impressive in his return to action after missing two games because of a calf injury. He has won his past two outings to improve to 20-6-7 this campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Starting Saturday
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Samsonov will patrol the road crease in Buffalo on Saturday, Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun reports.
It will be Samsonov's first start in four games, as he was out for a couple of contests with a calf contusion and then backed up Joseph Woll on Wednesday. Samsonov is 19-6-7 with a 3.12 GAA and a .889 save percentage. He is 1-1-0 versus the Sabres this season, stopping 24 shots on March 6 in a 2-1 overtime win, while giving up five goals on 19 shots in December in a 9-3 blowout loss.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Recovers from injury
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Samsonov, who sustained a contusion on his calf Saturday, feels ready to play, Mark Masters of TSN reports Wednesday.
Samsonov has a 19-6-7 record, 3.12 GAA and .889 save percentage in 34 games this season. Now that he's recovered from his injury, Samsonov will likely get the majority of Toronto's starts going forward while Joseph Woll will serve primarily as the backup. Martin Jones remains on the roster, but he might not get any starts if Samsonov and Woll remain healthy.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Not expected to play Tuesday
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Samsonov (undisclosed) wasn't on the ice for Tuesday's morning skate and is expected to remain out of the lineup versus the Devils, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Samsonov has given up three or more goals in three of his last five outings but still managed a 3-1-1 record and 3.01 GAA. With the netminder on the shelf, Joseph Woll figures to have the inside track to start against New Jersey, though Martin Jones could also be an option. Whenever Samsonov returns to the lineup, he figures to reclaim the starting job in Toronto.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Won't dress Sunday
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Samsonov (undisclosed) is "certainly not at 100 percent" and will not be available Sunday against Carolina, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Samsonov was injured Saturday against Edmonton and seemingly avoided a serious injury, but the team will give him at least one game off to see how his recovery progresses. Toronto's next game will be Tuesday against the Devils. Martin Jones will back up Joseph Woll on Sunday.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Should be fine despite leaving game
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Samsonov sustained an undisclosed injury late in the third period of Saturday's 6-3 victory over Edmonton, per Lance Hornby of The Toronto Sun.
Samsonov saved 31 of 34 shots but was hurt while attempting to stop Leon Draisaitl's goal at 16:21 of the final frame. Martin Jones entered the contest is relief, stopping all five shots he faced. With Joseph Woll set to start on the road against Carolina on Sunday, Jones will probably serve as the backup even if Samsonov is available. After Saturday's game, head coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov should be fine and won't miss any time due to an injury, according to David Alter of The Hockey News.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: First off Saturday
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Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Mark Masters of TSN reports, indicating he will patrol the home crease Saturday versus Edmonton.
Samsonov has gone winless in his past two outings, surrendering eight goals on 70 shots during that span. In 33 contests this campaign. he has a record of 18-6-7 with a 3.12 GAA and an .888 save percentage. The Oilers sit fourth in the league this season with 3.58 goals per game.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Surrenders four goals
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Samsonov stopped 26 of 30 shots in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Flyers.
After allowing a goal 19 seconds into the game, Samsonov and the Maple Leafs were forced to play catch-up for the rest of the contest and could not overcome a 3-0 deficit. Samsonov stopped all five power-play shots he faced but as Toronto tried to mount a comeback in the third period, he allowed the fourth goal late in the frame. This was Samsonov's second loss in a row after a four-game winning streak. While his recent winning streak is enticing, Samsonov's high GAA (3.12) and shaky save percentage (.888) make him a bit of a gamble.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Gets nod Tuesday
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Samsonov will start Tuesday on the road against the Flyers, per Mark Masters of TSN.
Samsonov made 36 saves in his last start Saturday en route to a 5-4 shootout loss to Carolina. The 27-year-old has recorded an .889 save percentage and an 18-5-7 record in 32 starts. He will have a tough test Tuesday against the Flyers, who are 17-14-3 at home.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: First loss in last five starts
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Samsonov made 36 saves in a 5-4 shootout loss to Carolina on Saturday.
Samsonov made several big saves but couldn't hold onto a 4-2 lead with 1:32 remaining in the game. Sebastian Aho scored twice in that span, including the game-tying snipe with only seven seconds remaining. The defeat snapped Samsonov's four-game win spree, but he still won 13 of his past 16 outings. Toronto has two back-to-backs next week, so Samsonov will probably share starts with Joseph Woll, who is still working himself back from an ankle injury.
