Ilya Samsonov's hot start sets him up to challenge for a Leafs record next week
One team's loss is another team's gain as former Washington Capitals netminder Ilya Samsonov has become the third goaltender in Maple Leafs franchise history to earn wins in each of his first four appearances - an opportunity afforded to him after Matt Murray's early season injury.
Samsonov is following in the footsteps of Damian Rhodes who went 6-0-0 from 1990-91 to 1993-94, the same total as Frank McCool in 1944-45. Samsonov entered the game on Saturday night with a 3-0-0 record, a 1.96 GAA and a .927 SV%. The Leafs handled their business against the Winnipeg Jets, besting them 4-1, in large part due to the 30-save effort by Samsonov that catapulted his save percentage to a lofty .936.
The Maple Leafs entered the season with question marks in goal after going from Jack Campbell and Petr Mrazek to Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov within the span of around two months. Murray has had his issues since winning two Stanley Cups and Samsonov was never able to earn his stripes in Washington after being tabbed as the future in goal in DC.
So far so good for the Russian netminder, as he is now 4-0-0 with sublime peripherals and playing in front of a team that can help him out with and without the puck. Playing the way he is - especially if it continues - the former 22nd overall pick has a legitimate shot at equaling McCool and Kidd's franchise record and perhaps even breaking it, if he can go 7-0-0 to start out his Leafs career.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 23 | 246 ANSWERS Ilya Samsonov's hot start sets him up to challenge for a Leafs record next week Will Samsonov tie or break the franchise record for consecutive wins to start his Leafs career? (6-0-0 to tie, 7-0-0 to break) | ||
| Yes | 155 | 63 % |
| No | 91 | 37 % |
| List of polls | ||
