Ilya Samsonov’s resilience took center stage as the Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 1-0 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets, with Auston Matthews netting the decisive goal at 4:13. Samsonov, once relegated to the AHL after a challenging stretch, faced a pivotal 2-on-0 break in the second period but impressively denied both Lowry and Barron, earning chants of support from fans who had previously jeered him at Scotiabank Arena.
Having battled his way back into the NHL, Samsonov’s 32-save performance showcased his turnaround, marking his second shutout of the 2023-24 season. Matthews, acknowledging Samsonov’s pivotal role, labeled him the “best player on the ice.” Laurent Brossoit made 29 saves for the Jets, who faced defensive challenges after Josh Morrissey left the game with a lower-body injury.
Winnipeg, ranked third in the NHL standings, concluded a 34-game streak of allowing three goals or fewer with a defeat in Boston on Monday. Despite starting overtime with a power-play opportunity, the Jets couldn’t capitalize as Samsonov stood tall. Matthews then capitalized on a pass from Morgan Rielly to secure the win, prompting a celebratory team rush to Samsonov’s end of the rink.
Samsonov’s recent success comes after a period of adversity, with the goalie reflecting on his ability to overcome past struggles. Toronto, having faced a 2-4-1 record in the previous seven games, including a challenging road trip, found solace in Samsonov’s resurgence. Mitch Marner praised Samsonov’s mental strength, emphasizing his ability to rebound.
The Leafs’ power play struggles persisted, prompting coach Sheldon Keefe to bench key players during man advantages. Despite the challenges, the team rallied behind Samsonov, who delivered crucial saves, including a stop on Rasmus Kupari in a 2-on-1 situation to force overtime.
Keefe acknowledged the doubts surrounding Samsonov but commended the goaltender for bouncing back. The two teams are set for a rematch on Saturday before heading into their bye week ahead of the all-star break.