Washington Capitals: Top 3 key players to watch against Habs
#1 Ilya Samsonov
Ilya Samsonov will get the start in goal tonight and boy does he deserve it after back to back shutouts. On Monday he was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week. During his two starts, he stopped all 56 shots he faced. Samsonov made 34 saves against the Los Angeles Kings on Nov. 17, including 14 in the opening period in a 2-0 win. Samsonov followed that up with 22 stops for his second consecutive shutout in a 4-0 Caps victory on Nov. 20 against the San Jose Sharks.
Samsonov became the ninth goaltender in franchise history to post back to back shutouts on the road since Clint Malarchuk did so from Feb. 19-20, 1988. Samsonov is on an active 151:27 shutout streak dating to his Nov. 12 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
This season, Samsonov is 6-0-1 with a 2.11 goals against average and a .924 save percentage. This marks the second consecutive season that Samsonov has earned at least one point in each of his first seven decisions, following a 6-0-1 start through eight outings in 2020-21 where he had a 2.54 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.
The best from a second straight shutout effort by Sammy in net, as he stopped all 22 shots faced last night in San Jose.#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/yvnmC4uqOl
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 21, 2021
Samsonov and Sergei Bobrovsky (8-0-2) of the Florida Panthers are the only goaltenders in the NHL this season with at least eight starts and zero regulation losses. In 53 career games, Samsonov has posted a 35-10-4 record.
More. Washington Capitals recall Michael Sgarbossa and Beck Malenstyn from Hershey, Place T.J. Oshie back on IR. light
Those are your top 3 players to watch tonight. I know it’s a day early, but Happy Thanksgiving Caps fans! Thankful for your readership and support.