Ilya Samsonov To Make Golden Knights Debut Towards The Geese

Former Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov will make his Vegas Golden Knights debut towards the Anaheim Geese.

The Golden Knights have gained their first two video games of the season with Adin Hill in aim, and regardless of his numbers trying a bit subpar, the 28-year-old has completed sufficient to win each outings.

With the third sport in 5 nights, HC Bruce Cassidy mentioned the plan was at all times to play Hill for the primary two earlier than giving Samsonov the crease for the third sport of the season.

Samsonov, now 27 years previous, was a former twenty second total choose within the 2015 NHL draft. His first three seasons with the Capitals had its ups and downs and when his entry-level contract was up, the Capitals elected to not tender him a qualifying provide and permit him to grow to be a free agent. The Maple Leafs had watched Frederik Andersen and Jack Campbell go away in free company in back-to-back years and have been in want of a brand new netminder. The Maple Leafs took a flyer on Samsonov and it paid off for the primary of two seasons.

In his first marketing campaign with the Maple Leafs, he performed in 42 video games, recording a .919SV% and a 2.33GAA. He additionally helped them win their first playoff sequence in 19 years as effectively. His second season with the membership was a unique story. He recorded only a .890SV% and a 3.13GAA in 40 begins and was demoted to their AHL staff, the Toronto Marlies, for a quick stint halfway by the season.

When the Golden Knights traded Logan Thompson to the Capitals, many puzzled what route the Golden Knights would go whereas searching for a backup to Hill. After they landed on Samsonov, the consensus was that the transfer can be solely banking on him discovering the shape he had in 2022-23.

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Tomorrow’s sport towards a younger Geese staff with excessive offensive expertise can be a reasonably good take a look at for Samsonov and a chance to indicate the Golden Knights the transfer will repay.

Samsonov spoke about how he feels heading into his first begin together with his new staff.

“I really feel assured. I do know I labored onerous in the summertime, and I really feel good in my thoughts too, which is admittedly vital,” mentioned Samsonov. “We’ll see what is going on on. I simply attempt to keep within the second and revel in right this moment. Apply, really feel good and tomorrow is a brand new day, so I am going to proceed to work.”

Samsonov hasn’t performed a sport since Oct. 3, the place he stopped 24 of the 26 pictures he confronted towards the Colorado Avalanche. When requested about how he’s staying sharp and ready, he talked about working onerous in observe and enhancing each side of his sport.

“I simply proceed to work onerous and await my probability to play. Not particularly [working on anything particular]. Typical goalie drills, nothing loopy. A variety of work with the staff. It is extra vital for me to grasp how we play in several conditions.”

Samsonov can be given the chance to indicate that he’s worthy of extra begins as Cassidy has made it clear in regards to the staff’s early plan for splitting begins. The ball is in Samsonov’s courtroom and he wants to indicate the staff what he is acquired.

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