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Capitals Top Players From The First Half Of The Season

ByCJ Witt|
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 31: John Carlson (74) of the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin (8) of the Washington Capitals on ice during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on December 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Geoff Burke/NHLI via Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 16: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) makes a second period save against the New Jersey Devils on January 16, 2020 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 16: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) makes a second period save against the New Jersey Devils on January 16, 2020 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ilya Samsonov

Oh what a season it’s been so far for the rookie goaltender. The discussion around Samsonov has gone from how good can or will he be to should the team trade Braden Holtby and make him the full time starter. A pretty ridiculous statement I would say but that just shows you how good Samsonov has been.

Samsonov has played in 19 games so far this season and he is an incredible 15-2-1. He’s not just raking in the wins on an offensive powerhouse team. His goals against average is 2.06 and his save percentage is .927%. He is at times bailing his own team out. He’s easily been the teams best goalie this season making more big saves than a Vezina and Cup winning Holtby.

One more number to compare the two goaltenders this season. Samsonov’s high danger save percentage is at .820%. Among the fifty-one goalies to play over 1,000 minutes that ranks at 17th best.

Holtby on the other hand has a .773 high danger save percentage. That ranks 45th out of 51. Do you need anymore proof that Samsonov is just making more big saves?

He’s been impressive. In a time where the future is questioned for this position for the Caps Samsonov’s play has been inspiring. If Holtby is in fact in his final few months as a Washington Capital the future looks good for the goaltending position. With that being said, Samsonov has easily been one of the best players of the first half of the season.

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