The goaltender, who has been out all season after hip surgery, joined his teammates for the club's morning skate ahead of their game against the New Jersey Devils Ilya Samsonov has mentioned that he can hear the fans chanting his name following a big save while in the Toronto Maple Leafs net. On Tuesday, the Maple Leafs goaltender took to Instagram and posted some artificial intelligence-generated artwork of himself in front of Toronto Maple Leafs fans. Samsonov has felt the love from the fans lately. After having a difficult start to the season the Toronto Maple Leafs netminder posted a shutout in a 3-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. Although it was a road game, the goaltender played in front of a heavily loaded pro-Leafs crowd. "We have the best fans in the world," Samsonov said of the chants. "The support was loud, I just want to say thank you to everybody." Over his last 20 starts, Samsonov has posted a 16-3-1 record with a .913 save percentage. Samsonov picked up his 100th NHL victory in a 6-4 win against the Florida Panthers on Monday. He became the 16th-fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach that mark, doing it in 167 games. With just eight games to go until the Stanley Cup playoffs begin, Samsonov has put up the numbers that have him as a heavy favorite to become the team's Game 1 starter. "He's certainly building a lot of momentum," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said of Samsonov. "He's the goalie of record to help us win the first playoff series in a really long time here in this city. "Joseph Woll will be hungry, too. Our job is to have two goaltenders thriving and to be ready to go." Samsonov has a 21-6-7 record with an .892 save percentage. Woll is 11-9-1 with a .910 save percentage. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related Why the Maple Leafs’ ECHL Affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers Disbanded and What’s Next for Players on Team [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/why-the-maple-leafs-echl-affiliate-the-newfoundland-growlers-disbanded-and-whats-next-for-players-on-team] Maple Leafs Anticipate Morgan Rielly's Availability Against Lightning; Potential Return for Mitch Marner This Weekend Against Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/maple-leafs-anticipate-morgan-riellys-availability-against-lightning-potential-return-for-mitch-marner-this-weekend-against-canadiens] PHOTOS: Auston Matthews Breaks His Own Maple Leafs' Franchise Record with 61st and 62nd Goals This Season, NHL Star Has 70 Within Reach [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/photos-auston-matthews-breaks-his-own-maple-leafs-franchise-record-with-61st-and-62nd-goals-this-season-nhl-star-has-70-within-reach] News from THN.com NHL '24-25 Calder Class: Stars' Stankoven Vaults to Top As Others Make First Impressions [https://thehockeynews.com/news/nhl-24-25-calder-class-stars-stankoven-vaults-to-top-as-others-make-first-impressions] Former Flyers Captain Speaks Out On Cutter Gauthier: 'If He Thinks He’s Going to Have a Better Time Someplace Else, Then Go For It.' [https://thehockeynews.com/news/former-flyers-captain-speaks-out-on-cutter-gauthier-if-he-thinks-hes-going-to-have-a-better-time-someplace-else-then-go-for-it] 'It's Built Into a Rivalry for Sure': Oilers and Kings Amp Up the Action With Playoffs Looming [https://thehockeynews.com/news/its-built-into-a-rivalry-for-sure-oilers-and-kings-amp-up-the-action-with-playoffs-looming]
