Photo: Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images
It took some time, but for those of us that have followed his game since his draft day back in 2015, we knew it was just a matter of time. The only problem, time was running out for many in Caps nation, and patience was wearing thin.
Ilya Samsonov finally showed his “A” game Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. He stopped all 34 shots he faced to record his fifth career shutout in the NHL. But maybe more importantly, Samsonov showed some of his true “upside potential” that we have all talked about, seen on occasion, and why he was a first round draft pick in 2015.
Not one, not two, but three huge saves!
Take a bow Ilya Samsonov. 👏 pic.twitter.com/ooMWov7nKS
— NHL (@NHL) November 18, 2021
The key to his game, from a long-time observers perspective, is how “quiet” he remains in the crease. We don’t have to go too far back (his last start against the Blue Jackets on November 12) to see a “noisy” Samsonov, flailing about from side to side, leaving the crease and often finding himself out of position.
It was a “quiet” night (control wise) for Samsonov on Wednesday. He made a few early glove saves with a certain degree of confidence, as if he was telling the Kings “you’re gonna have to do better than that.”
Sammy absolutely dazzled last night for his second shutout of the season. You’re going to want to watch this.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/rKoM7tOBr4
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 18, 2021
Samsonov is now 5-0-1 with a 2.45 GAA and a .914 save percentage so far this season. The big thing now is consistency, and he knows that.
“I need to play like that every night. It was an important game for me. I think I (turned to the) next page because my start of the season is not too great. I will believe that I will be better,” Samsonov said after the game.
Capitals’ bench boss Peter Laviolette praised the 24-year-old netminder’s performance after the game. “It was a really good performance by him. He seemed like he was in control of the game, control of his crease, and focused. He did a really good job.”
got the perfect thing to start your mornings off with, babes pic.twitter.com/n0jddceo5j
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 18, 2021
Vitek Vanecek will most likely get the next start when the Capitals visit the Shark Tank in San Jose on Saturday night. But if Samsonov can string a few more games together like Wednesday nights game against the Kings, we might be back to a true goalie competition for the Capitals.
By Jon Sorensen
He has lots of potential and needs to continue to grow up and learn his chosen profession. If he does he will be the #1 goalie here. The only 2 things in his way are himself and Kuzy. Les partying and more work and study of his position and game film. More concentration all the tim elike last night and no more mind farts.
Samsonov needs consecutive game to find his groove. Unfortunately the current scenario will not allow for that and that may be his downfall.