Washington Capitals: Ilya Samsonov easily earns MVP against Sharks

The Washington Capitals shutout the San Jose Sharks 4-0 behind Ilya Samsonov‘s masterful performance. It was back to back shutouts for Samsonov who has rebounded from a slow start to the season. Samsonov stopped all 22 shots in his sight including 15 at even strength and six while the Caps were on the penalty kill.

“I hope he’s going to play like that the rest of the year,” said Alex Ovechkin, who had two goals in the winning effort.

The 24 year old netminder also had a 34 save effort the other night against the Los Angeles Kings. Head coach Peter Laviolette praised his young goaltender:

“He seems focused and dialed in. He seems like he is in control. I think everybody had the same feeling this game as they had last game, that he was just in position. He was there. He looked sharp. He looked focused.”

Samsonov became the ninth goaltender in franchise history to post back to back shutouts and the first since Braden Holtby accomplished that feat from Jan. 5-7, 2017. Additionally, Samsonov became the first goaltender to post back to back shutouts on the road since Clint Malarchuk did so from Feb. 19-20, 1988. Stick taps to Mike Vogel of WashingtonCaps.com for that nugget.

With the two straight shutouts, Samsonov improves his record to 6-0-1 with a 2.11 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. Samsonov and Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers are the only two goaltenders in the NHL this season with at least five starts and zero losses. Bobrovsky is 8-0-2.

In 53 career games, Samsonov is 35-10-4 including a 23-3-2 record on the road. Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Samsonov’s 23 road wins are tied for fifth n the NHL and are the most among goaltenders with 35 or fewer road games played.

Samsonov was rewarded the start on Saturday for his shutout effort on Wednesday night. It marked the first time since April he had started two games in a row. It is his third shutout of the season and sixth of his career. His first of the season came on a 16 save effort on Oct. 29 against the Arizona Coyotes.

Samsonov told the media Saturday night:

“My mental, you know, it is much easier. My body is more loose and it is much easier to move … there is a lot of positives. I will keep working every day and I am better and better. Really hungry for the win.”

Samsonov will likely get a well deserved night off tonight against the Seattle Kraken but he’s earned it.