Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Drops Game 7 in overtime
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Samsonov allowed two goals on 31 shots in Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Bruins in Game 7.
Samsonov put in a strong showing after Joseph Woll (undisclosed) was deemed unavailable for the winner-take-all contest. Samsonov was able to get the game to overtime, but a bank pass from Hampus Lindholm found David Pastrnak in the space between Samsonov and defenseman Morgan Rielly, and Pastrnak was able to convert the decisive goal. Samsonov won just one of his five playoff appearances, allowing 14 goals on 134 shots during the first round. The 27-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the emergence of Woll makes it seem unlikely Samsonov will be back to the Maple Leafs after a mediocre campaign.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Thrust into service for Game 7
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Samsonov is expected to start on the road in Game 7 against Boston on Saturday, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.
Samsonov has struggled in the first round, allowing 12 goals on 103 shots (.883 save percentage) over four outings, which led to him being pulled in favor of Joseph Woll during Game 4. Although Toronto still lost that contest 3-1, which gave Boston a 3-1 series lead, the 25-year-old Woll would start in Games 5 and 6, earning two straight wins while saving 49 of 51 shots. However, Woll is dealing with an injury, so the Leafs will have to put their hopes in Samsonov for the deciding tilt of the series.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Pulled after two periods
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Samsonov allowed three goals on 17 shots in Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4.
Samsonov lasted two periods before head coach Sheldon Keefe turned to Joseph Woll for the third. Woll stopped all five shots he faced, though the Bruins didn't apply much pressure while protecting a lead. Samsonov has gone 1-3 with 12 goals allowed over four playoff contests so far, so it's fair to question how much longer he'll be the starter with the Maple Leafs entering must-win mode. Keefe declined to name a starting goalie for Tuesday's Game 5 in his postgame comments.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Between pipes Saturday
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Samsonov was the first goaltender off the ice at morning practice, per Mark Masters of TSN, indicating he will defend the home crease in Game 4 versus Boston on Saturday.
It's a crucial game for the Maple Leafs as they trail the best-of-seven series 2-1. Samsonov has not been great in the first three contests of this postseason, giving up nine goals on 86 shots (.895 save percentage). If he has another weak showing in Game 4, Joseph Woll might get the nod for Tuesday's contest.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Falls to Boston in Game 3
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Samsonov stopped 30 of 33 shots in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Bruins, with Boston's final goal of Game 3 getting scored into an empty net.
Jeremy Swayman and Samsonov were both perfect in the first period and still had a 1-1 goaltending duel going headed into the second intermission, but the Bruins pulled away after Jake DeBrusk notched a power-play tally just 67 seconds into the final frame. Samsonov has given up nine goals on 86 shots through the first three games of the playoffs, and with Toronto down 2-1 in the series, he might need to come up big in Game 4 on Saturday to keep his team in the series,
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: In goal Wednesday
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Samsonov will be between the pipes at home for Game 3 against the Bruins on Wednesday, Mark Masters of TSN reports.
Samsonov was much better in Game 2 after a poor Game 1 showing, stopping 27 of 29 shots (.931 save percentage) in a winning effort versus Boston. Barring any sort of injury concern, there is little reason to suspect that Samsonov won't remain the preferred option in the crease for as long as the Leafs remain in the postseason.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Earns win to even series
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Samsonov stopped 27 of 29 shots in Monday's 3-2 victory over the Bruins in Game 2.
It was a much-needed rebound effort from Samsonov after the 27-year-old netminder allowed four goals in Saturday's Game 1 loss. Samsonov had an up-and-down regular season, ultimately finishing 23-7-8 despite an .890 save percentage and 3.13 GAA. He figures to be back between the pipes Wednesday when the Leafs return home for Game 3.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Starting Game 2
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Samsonov is slated to guard the road goal during Monday's Game 2 versus the Bruins, David Alter of The Hockey News reports.
Samsonov struggled in Saturday's Game 1, surrendering four goals on only 23 shots en route to a 5-1 defeat. He'll try to shake off that poor performance and help the Maple Leafs even the series at one game apiece Monday.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: Poor showing in Game 1
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Samsonov allowed four goals on 23 shots in Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 1. The fifth goal was an empty-netter.
Samsonov took his third straight loss, and he's allowed a total of 15 goals in that span. Prior to that, he won five outings in a row. Samsonov was effective with a 23-7-8 record this season, but his 3.13 GAA and .890 save percentage leave plenty to be desired. If head coach Sheldon Keefe mixes things up between the pipes, Joseph Woll appears to be next in line.
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Maple Leafs' Ilya Samsonov: First off ahead of Game 1
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Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, per Mark Masters of TSN, indicating he will guard the road goal in Game 1 against Boston on Saturday.
Samsonov went 18-4-2 with a .905 save percentage and two shutouts in his final 24 appearances of the regular season. He made 38 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins on Nov. 2. Boston tied for 13th in the league with 3.21 goals per game during the 2023-24 campaign.
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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: 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.
