The Russian netminder says he's in a much better place than earlier in the season to handle a bad night at the office.
The Russian netminder says he's in a much better place than earlier in the season to handle a bad night at the office.
Ilya Samsonov allowed six goals on 20 shots in a 6-5 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. It was the first time the Russian goaltender allowed than many since a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. A couple of days after that performance, Samsonov found himself on waivers and the goaltender was away from his team to co clear his head.
This time around, Samsonov was all smiles greeting reporters following practice on Friday and was able to put the night into perspective.
"Tough game. But sometimes we play in the best league in the world and sometimes we have a good day, sometimes bad," Samsonov said. "Most important is reaction to this and today (is a) new day, everybody smile, working hard and tomorrow new game against team who is fighting for the playoffs."
Samsonov will be back between the pipes for Toronto's final home game of the regular season on Saturday when they host the Detroit Red Wings, a club fighting for their playoff lives. The intent is to rev Samsonov up and have him feeling good ahead of the playoffs. If he bounces back with a solid performance in goal, it should help solidify his likely assignment for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe liked how Samsonov came to work on Friday after a tough night at the office.
"I think a big part of where Sammy is at and where he has been in the last few months — or whatever it has been — is his mental approach," Keefe said. "That has armed him with the tools to manage the situation he was in earlier in the season to get to this point. Those are the same things that are going to prepare him and should give him the confidence to push past it and get right back to it."
In his second season with the Maple Leafs, Samsonov struggled to begin his 2023-24 campaign. Following a difficult December that saw him post an .828 save percentage, Samsonov eventually returned to the club where he revealed he went through some therapy sessions and relied on his family to through his troubles on the ice. He posted a .939 save percentage in January and posted a .926 save percentage in eight appearances in March. His recent play in addition to Joseph Woll's struggles to regain the form he had before a high-ankle injury forced him to miss nearly three months, has given Samsonov the edge. But he has to prove he can shake off a bad game with a solid outing on Saturday.
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