Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan O’Reilly handles pucks and shooting during morning skate in Raleigh Shortly after the Toronto Maple Leafs held practice at UBS Arena on Wednesday, Ilya Samsonov flew back to Toronto to be with his wife, Maria, who gave birth to a baby boy. "Probably the best week in my life," Samsonov explained. "A lot of emotion, last four days we stay all together and at home is unbelievable. I feel perfect. When he comes on my skin, you feel so warmy. He’s so cute." As Maria and baby Miroslav rested at home, Ilya has been trying to do the same while staying sharp in the net. [gallery ids="5301,5302,5303"] Samsonov said he's been sleeping in another room with his dog, a mastiff. When he's not looking after Miroslav, he's seen the Maple Leafs' medical staff to tend to a minor injury he had been dealing with. "We figured out my injury because we had time," Samsonov explained. "I feel perfect, it doesn't hurt anymore. I think I'm 100 percent." Samsonov didn't disclose the nature of the injury but admitted to the SI/THN that the injury occurred on Feb. 26 toward the end of the club's 5-1 win against the Seattle Kraken. The 25-year-old first-time dad is expected to be back in the lineup on Wednesday when the Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. He didn't take part in the team's optional skate, which is outside of the norm, but his life has been anything but since his family grew by one. "I think it's more of a sign that he just feels ready to go," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Samsonov's absence. Samsonov's performance tonight could go a long way in helping the Maple Leafs decide who should be their starting goaltender ahead of the playoffs. Statistically, Samsonov has outperformed Matt Murray this season. The Russian has a 24-9-3 record with a .914 save percentage, however, he's coming off his worst loss of the season, when he gave up six goals in a 7-2 loss to the New York Islanders last week. Related Maple Leafs Plan for Ryan O’Reilly to Return Next Week as he Ramps Up Recovery From Finger Injury [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-plan-for-ryan-oreilly-to-return-next-week-as-he-ramps-up-recovery-from-finger-injury] Michael Bunting, Sheldon Keefe Pour Cold Water On Maple Leafs Bench Conversation Against Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/michael-bunting-sheldon-keefe-pour-cold-water-on-maple-leafs-bench-conversation-against-predators] Maple Leafs’ Mitch Marner Uses His Head to Generate Scoring Chance Against Predators [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/maple-leafs-mitch-marner-uses-his-head-to-generate-scoring-chance-against-predators]
