Analyst makes shocking declaration about Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov
After another stellar performance from Ilya Samsonov in a 2-1 OT loss to Boston, TSN analyst and former NHL GM Craig Button had some surprisingly high praise for the 26-year-old.
Button was asked by Sportscenter host Jay Onrait if he was confident in Ilya Samsonov being the number one for the Leafs to go on a long playoff run to which he responded by saying, "My confidence level is 100% Samsonov is not just the number one for the Leafs, he's amongst the best goalies in the National Hockey League."
Samsonov is 25-10-5 through 40 games this season, with 4 shutouts to his credit. He has posted a 2.40 GAA and .916 save percentage through those 40 games. Not only that, but Samsonov ranks in the top-10 goalies for save percentage (8th), slot save percentage (.849, 5th) and inner slot save percentage (.847, 1st).
With the Leafs securing home ice advantage against Tampa, Samsonov certainly has the opportunity to help the Leafs break their first round curse. At home, he is 18-3-3 with 2 shutouts, a 2.06 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Even if the series goes seven games, which it likely will, Samsonov is most comfortable on home ice and the Leafs could and should use it to their advantage.
| POLL | ||
8 AVRIL | 622 ANSWERS Analyst makes shocking declaration about Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov Where would you rank Ilya Samsonov among NHL goaltenders? | ||
| Top 5 | 197 | 31.7 % |
| 6-8 | 272 | 43.7 % |
| 9-12 | 126 | 20.3 % |
| 13-15 or lower | 27 | 4.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
