Samsonov addresses his early season struggles with the Leafs
After a fantastic 2022-23 season that solidified Ilya Samsonov's position as the number one goaltender in Toronto, the 26-year-old has struggled to begin the season and has looked nothing like his former self. Granted, it has only been 2 games, but it's a night and day difference. Samsonov has allowed 9 goals on 56 shots for a 4.42 G.A.A and a .839 SV%, but is 2-0-0 with the offense saving his hide. After the first week of the season, ironically enough, he leads all goaltenders in both goals allowed and wins.
He looked a little better on Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild compared to his opening night outing against the Montreal Canadiens but still allowed 4 goals:
"Compared to the first one I feel more comfortable. Every game I've had a couple of sh*tty goals and sh*tty bounces." - Samsonov of his performance on Saturday
Samsonov vows to improve and has been working diligently with goaltending coach Curtis Sanford. He already credits that his sessions with Sanford have helped out:
"One time when you try to get too low, it's hard to move. You just have to get your stance a little bit higher and it will be easy to move." - Samsonov on one change he plans to implement
Head coach Sheldon Keefe isn't entirely bothered by the poor start as he believes it's just a matter of time before he finds his groove again. Confidence might be lacking but fortunately it's early in the season and he knows what Samsonov is capable of:
"It's just looking like it's early and he hasn't found his groove yet. There should be a level of structure and security around the goaltenders that allows them to find that groove and their confidence and everything falls into place from there." - Keefe on Samsonov's early struggles
With Joseph Woll starting against Chicago tonight, Samsonov's next opportunity to get back into the crease for the Leafs will be Thursday against the Florida Panthers.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 16 | 86 ANSWERS Samsonov addresses his early season struggles with the Leafs If Joseph Woll performs well tonight against Chicago, who do you start on Thursday in Florida if you're Sheldon Keefe? | ||
| Woll | 52 | 60.5 % |
| Samsonov | 34 | 39.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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