Ilya Samsonov recently stated that it does not break.
Crucial to his team’s hopes of ending a generation of playoff misery, the Maple Leafs goaltender also wasn’t bothered by some downtime ahead of what Toronto hopes will be a long postseason run.
Samsonov missed the last two games of the regular schedule with his team’s first-round hurdle, a rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning, long set in stone.
“I rested mentally,” Samonov said Saturday after Toronto’s optional practice. “It’s very difficult to play a lot.
“If we have a chance to rest, why not?”
With the Leafs set to host Game 1 of the best-of-seven series on Tuesday, the Original Six franchise is banking on Samsonov’s strong campaign transitioning into the spring after he signed in free agency following an abrupt end with the Washington Capitals.
“It’s been unbelievable,” Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. “He came in and fit in perfectly and played extremely well. He was up to the challenge. It’s not easy to come to a new team, it’s not easy to be on[a one-year contract].
“He deserves all the credit in the world.”
Toronto would also be in big trouble without him.
The Leafs completely redid their crease connection in the summer by signing Samsonov, trading for Matt Murray and hiring goaltending coach Curtis Sanford.
But Murray, a two-time Stanley Cup champion as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, was unable to stay healthy after trading with the Ottawa Senators for long stretches, a hallmark of his later seasons, and is currently out with a concussion. .
Samsonov, who missed time with a knee injury in the fall, finished 27-10-5 with a .919 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average in 42 appearances in 2022-23 for an organization. who hasn’t advanced in the playoffs since 2004 or won the Stanley Cup since 1967.
“They matched very well,” Leafs captain John Tavares said of the colorful Russian. “When the challenges have come, he’s really dealt with them extremely well and he’s responded very well.
“An important piece of our success.”
Samsonov came to Toronto on that $1.8 million, one-year contract after Washington refused to make him a qualifying offer.
That shock quickly turned to excitement when he signed with the Leafs.
“So different to me… like two different worlds,” he said. “I love my teammates. I like this city. It’s amazing.”
The 26-year-old said he was receiving text messages from Toronto players within “three or four minutes” of writing his free agent contract.
“I’m very happy how friendly this team is,” said Samsonov, who won a KHL title with Magnitogorsk in 2016. “My first day in the locker room, everyone greets you and asks how you feel, how do you like it here? ?
“I feel more comfortable day by day, week by week.”
Rielly said Samsonov, never shy about joking with reporters on camera or behind the scenes, was part of the group almost immediately.
“It’s a great balance,” Rielly said. “He lets his personality come through. With us, it’s the same. He’s always smiling, always laughing, always joking.”
“Then when it comes time to play hockey, he’s extremely focused.”
Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov’s relationship with Sanford has been key as they worked to build confidence and the goaltender’s play.
“We knew he was going to be a guy looking to come back,” Keefe said. “He’s been very motivated and very focused. The talent has always been there. He has a great pedigree.”
“A young boy who needed to find his way.”
Keefe didn’t know much about Samsonov’s arrival at the training camp, but he was thoroughly impressed.
“Really composed,” he added. “It hasn’t been a perfect season for him, it’s been a great season, but it hasn’t been a perfect season.
“He went to work in the off-season to come here and take advantage of his opportunity.”
Samsonov also showed a bit of his arrogance on Saturday.
“Everybody wants to win the Stanley Cup,” he said. “At the end of the day, a lot of good teams. And so are we.
“I think we are an elite team, probably the best team in the league.”
Tampa, which beat Toronto in seven games last spring, won the Cup in 2020 and 2021 before also reaching the 2022 final, while the Presidents’ Trophy winner Boston Bruins set records for wins and scoring points. the NHL this season.
When asked to explain, Samsonov doubled down.
“Because we have a good group,” he said. “We have the best doctors, the best therapists, the best training coaches, we have the best trainers.
“We have the best players.”
The Leafs will soon have a chance to back up those words.
MURRAY PROGRESSING
Keefe said Murray returned to skating after being injured on April 2 against the Detroit Red Wings.
Joseph Woll, the Leafs’ third choice, was out on the ice Saturday.
SCHENN’S SECOND SHOT
Luke Schenn is looking forward to finally getting a taste of playoff hockey in Toronto.
The 33-year-old defenseman began his career with the Leafs before being traded in 2012.
Schenn, who played for seven organizations in the interim, won two Cups with Tampa before Vancouver sent him to Toronto this season.
“You’d be lying if you said you haven’t thought about it,” he said of what playoff success could look like in field hockey’s biggest market.
“But then, saying that, there are 16 teams right now, all thinking the same thing.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 15, 2023.