WINNIPEG — Ilya Samsonov is feeling as good about his game as of late. And it's not just his goaltending.
The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender revealed on Friday that he was the winner of a poker tournament at the annual Blue and White Gala on Thursday.
"I'm so excited," he said with a big grin.
When asked if he was a good poker player, Samsonov shrugged it off and said "Who knows? Yesterday, yeah."
Samsonov and the Maple Leafs are hoping he can keep his winning vibes going when they visit the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Center on Saturday for the back half of a home-and-home series. The Maple Leafs won the first game, 1-0 in overtime, largely due to Samsonov's 32-save shutout performance, as he picked up consecutive victories for the first time since he was placed on waivers on Dec. 31 due to struggles in goal.
The win over the Jets was the truest sign of the goaltender being back to his form. So is he back to form? If he is, Samsonov isn't revealing his hand.
“I don’t want to say nothing about I’m back or I’m not back," Samsonov said as he refused to declare anything. "I’m here right now. I got some good practice and we’ll see. Day by day."
Samsonov's perspective of staying in the moment can be seen as slow playing his recent success. But for a goaltender who has ridden the emotions before in the first half of the season, the goaltender is reasonably cautious.
There's also the fact that the players in front of him weren't able to do much against one of the NHL's top defenses. And Toronto's lineup is in a bit of flux after Calle Jarnkrok blocked a shot with his hand and had to leave practice early. His status will be clarified when head coach Sheldon Keefe speaks to the media after his team's optional skate.
Auston Matthews picked up his 39th goal of the season in the only tally between the two teams on Wednesday and things could get tougher as the team may have some reinforcements.
The Jets could have Gabe Vilardi (lower-body) and Josh Morrissey back in the lineup with Winnipeg head coach Rick Bowness declaring both players game-time decisions.
Morrissey absorbed a shot from Leafs forward Matthew Knies and the puck hit him in the mid-section. He was taken out for precautionary reasons.
In a weird twist of fate, it was Morrisey's shot that ruptured then-teammate Blake Wheeler's testicle.
Mark Scheifele skated with the Jets at practice on Friday but will not play Saturday. He's been out since Jan. 11 with a lower-body injury and the club is opting to give him the full use of the upcoming bye-week.
Connor Hellebuyck is projected to start in goal for the Jets. He's been sharp with a 23-8-3 record and a .925 save percentage.
Where to watch
Across Canada, the game will be broadcast and streamed on Sportsnet+ and CBC. In the United States, the game will stream on ESPN+. Around the world, the game will stream on the country's respective carrier of NHL.tv.
The puck drop is set for just after 7 p.m. ET.
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