Stars and Sticks
Fansided

Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Islanders

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) taps the cup of defenseman John Carlson (74) with his stick as part of a pregame ritual during warm ups before the Los Angeles Kings vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on February 4, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) taps the cup of defenseman John Carlson (74) with his stick as part of a pregame ritual during warm ups before the Los Angeles Kings vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on February 4, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 08: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) takes the ice for the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 8, 2020 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 08: Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (30) takes the ice for the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 8, 2020 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Ilya Samsonov

Starting in net tonight is Ilya Samsonov, who’s had insane momentum in his rookie season. He’s recorded 11 straight wins becoming the third rookie goaltender to do so in NHL history.

Samsonov carries a 16-3-1 record in 22 games with a shutout, a 2.19 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. He is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals-against average through 20 games played and tied for the eighth-highest save percentage. He is also the only goaltender in the league with less than four losses and at least 20 games played.

Per the game notes, Samsonov has a .667 quality start percentage which is the percentage of starts a goaltender records a save percentage higher than the league average of .908. His .667 is tied for fourth in the NHL among goaltenders with at least 20 games.

Samsonov came into the game late on Saturday after seven pucks got past Braden Holtby (no I’m not criticizing Holtby’s play I’m simply stating the stats). He only faced one shot in 11:58 minutes of play. He’ll go against the Islanders for the third time, it was the very opponent he made his league debut against.

How will Samsonov fare against Trotz’s Islanders? The second time he faced them he helped keep the Caps in the game while they made an incredible comeback.

Home/Editorials