Jets goaltender makes surprising comments regarding Ilya Samsonov following the Leafs' 1-0 win

Before puck drop, I don't know if many people imagined that the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to defeat the Winnipeg Jets in overtime courtesy of an Ilya Samsonov shutout.

The Jets have been the league's stingiest team and even their backup goaltender has been a brick wall behind that defense. However, game recognizes game, and after the the final horn sounded last night, Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit wanted to give Samsonov credit for the game he played and the struggles he had gone through to get there:

Samsonov's struggles this year have been well documented from the moment the season started. The soon-to-be 27-year-old gave up 9 goals on 56 shots in his first two starts and struggled to the tune of a 5-2-6 record with a .862 SV% and a G.A.A just a shade under 3.50.

He had allowed 4 or more goals 8 times in his first 15 games, including 4 straight games before being placed on waivers. He cleared the next day and was then assigned to the Toronto Marlies. He returned 2 weeks later ahead of their game against the Detroit Red Wings on the 14th of January, where he stopped 20 of 23 shots in the loss, but looking much better than he had.

He has now won back-to-back games for the first time since November 11th and 17th and his 16-save victory against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday was his first win since December 9th - a span of 5 games. Tonight he was even better as he stopped 16 shots in the first period alone, including a ridiculous 2-on-0 opportunity while the Leafs were on the power play.

Samsonov is now 7-3-6 on the season and will look to build on his last two games as the Leafs head out west to Winnipeg to finish off the home-and-home. As for Brossoit, he did as much as he could, stopping all 29 shots fired his way before Auston Matthews potted the game-winner for his 39th tally of the season in OT.

Leafs Coach Craig Berube's Recent Comments on Nick Robertson Come as a Bit of a Surprise

Craig Berube Offers Honest Assessment of Alex Nylander After Maple Leafs Debut

GM Brad Treliving Confirms that the Maple Leafs are Trying to Address a Clear Roster Need

Two Star Players Suddenly Made Available by the Rangers and Both are Excellent Fits for the Maple Leafs

Mitch Marner's Performance In Auston Matthews' Absence Worthy of Some Recognition

Insider Issues Statement on Maple Leafs and Pending UFA Mitch Marner

Leafs Captain Auston Matthews Receives Support From Unexpected NHL Star

Massive Opportunity Presents Itself For Maple Leafs Prospect Ty Voit

Leafs GM Brad Treliving Shares Additional Information on Auston Matthews' Trip to Germany

Alex Nylander Has Very Clear Goal Ahead of NHL Return