'Certainly Respect The Hell Out Of It': Maple Leafs Impressed by Ilya Samsonov's Ability to Battle and Help Team Even Up Stanley Cup Playoffs Series In Win Against Bruins

BOSTON — It could have been disastrous for Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov again. But he battled.

One play after taking a puck to the helmet late in the first period against the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series and the game tied 1-1, Bruins forward David Pastrnak was able to snap in a go-ahead goal with under eight seconds remaining in the frame.

It could have sunk the Leafs. But instead, that was the last goal Samsonov gave up as Toronto scored the next two to hang on and defeat the Bruins 3-2 to even up their best-of-seven first-round playoff series at a game apiece.

“We didn’t think about this. We just need to play the game,” Samsonov said about the feeling in that first intermission. “So this is what we’re talking with the coaches, what we’re talking to the team. We’re just moving forward. We forgot. We stay in the moment by moment.”

Samsonov was tested several times in the second and third periods.

In the second, he came across on a 2-on-1 opportunity for Boston to stop Jake DeBrusk’s deflection at the net.

In the third period with the game tied 2-2, Samsonov managed to stop Brad Marchand on an equally dangerous scoring chance.

“I’m just trying to push as hard as I can,” Samsonov said on his stretch to make the stop. “And it’s not special, just you need to do your work.”

A lot was riding on Samsonov in his Game 2 performance. After three consecutive appearances of giving up four or more goals, a loss against the Bruins could have meant a goaltending change for Game 3. Heck, they may have done it regardless of how he performed if the team lost.

But Samsonov’s win on Monday was assured by Auston Matthews’ game-winner moments the big Marchand save.

“I really honestly admire his mindset. He’s got a very short memory and if he has a bad game or a bad stretch, he clears it out of his mind and just gets back to it and competes,” Matthews said of Samsonov” I think as players we appreciate that so much. It’s just great to see him and have a goalie like that. So steady and calm back there, obviously goes a long way.”

Samsonov’s season has been turbulent to say the very least. Starting in goal for the club during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs seemed impossible after a disastrous start to the season saw the club place him on waivers on Jan. 1. But he worked his way back to get through the mental roadblocks that occupied his mind in the first half of the season. Something his teammates have come to appreciate.

“We love him and he’s a big part of our locker room,” Maple Leafs captain John Tavares said of Samsonov. “I think it just adds to our belief in him and I think the way we care for one another and certainly being the backbone between the pipes and how he’s been able to battle and stay with it and compete.

“I think as a teammate, you admire that and you appreciate that and certainly respect the hell out of it. He’s battled hard all year, which hasn’t been the way you’d draw it up, but you just keep putting your head down and going forward.”

Samsonov made 27 saves on 29 shots to end the night.

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