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Capitals: Top 3 impact players to watch against Devils

By Michael Marzzacco

NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammate John Carlson #74 after Carlson scored a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - DECEMBER 20: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with teammate John Carlson #74 after Carlson scored a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game on November 20, 2019 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the third period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 02: Ilya Samsonov #30 of the Washington Capitals looks on during the third period of the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Capital One Arena on February 2, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Ilya Samsonov

Getting the start in goal on Saturday will be Ilya Samsonov while Braden Holtby gets the Penguins on Sunday. He’s been an intergral part of Washington’s road dominance in the NHL having won 10 of their 21 games away from Capital One Arena. Washington’s 21 road wins are the most in the NHL.

Samsonov has a 16-4-1 record through 23 games including a 2.38 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage with a shutout. He’s 10-0-0 as a visitor and is one win away from joining Brent Johnson as the second goaltender in NHL history to win his first 11 road games to begin his NHL career. Johnson did that as a member of the St. Louis Blues in the 2000-01 season.

Samsonov recorded a win in 11 straight decisions from Nov. 30 to Jan. 31, which joined Ross Brooks (14-0-0 in 1973-74) and George Hainsworth (11-0-0 in 1926-27) as just the third rookie goaltender in NL history to string together wins in 11 consecutive decisions.

Samsonov is 2-0-0 against the Devils with a 2.50 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage. He’s also the only goaltender in the NHL with less than five losses with at least 20 games played.

Samsonov’s quality start percentage is at .632, which is sixth in the league among goaltenders who have played at least 23 games. They’ll be counting on Samsonov today to get back on track as well as this next player.

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