The Toronto Maple Leafs are dealing with an enormous amount of injuries, one which has launched goaltender Ilya Samsonov back into the number one role.
Samsonov has had a down season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it may be better than what many have thought.
On the season, the former first round pick of the Washington Capitals has posted a 5-1-4 record with a 3.29 GAA and .884 Save Percentage, numbers that don’t jump out as spectacular as he has just five wins in ten games and a save percentage way below the danger line of .900.
Some have even talked about trading Samsonov or even waiving the netminder, however an NHL team needs at minimum two quality NHL goalies if not more.
However, Samsonov has recorded points in nine out of his ten decisions (the team has also picked up wins in both his non decisions) and the one game he has not picked up a point was nearly two months ago where he surrendered just two goals on 23 shots against the Florida Panthers.
Samsonov’s numbers are extremely skewed by two horrific starts against the Tampa Bay Lightning where he was pulled 13 and 15 minutes into each game after surrendering a total of seven goals on just 16 shots. Both games, his teammates were able to rally back and win those games.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Ilya Samsonov Can Regain the Number One Role
If you remove those two games, the Russian goalie has posted a 2.75 GAA and a .902 save percentage. To make things look even better, since he was pulled in the second contest against the Lightning, Samsonov has posted a 3-0-2 record with a 2.94 GAA with a .916 save percentage.
In 7 of his last ten starts, which includes one of the Tampa Bay games, Samsonov has allowed three or fewer goals, with five of those games being two or less goals.
Former general manager Kyle Dubas was able to land Samsonov for a miniscule $1.8 Million after the Washington Capitals failed to qualify him. He proved to steal the Number One role last season and took off until he was injured in the playoffs.
With Joseph Woll now out with week-to-week, which could easily lead into more than a month when it comes to ankle sprains, Samsonov has a full chance to regain his 1A starting role.
You can be thankful that the organization do not trade him a month ago or even waive him like some people were asking for.