Capitals goalie prospect Ilya Samsonov is showing signs of returning to last year’s stellar form after a rocky start to the 2017-18 KHL season.
Over his last seven appearances, Samsonov has won four times and had two close losses, with a stratospheric .950 save percentage and a goals-against average of 1.74.
Samsonov has also started five of Metallurg’s last seven games, a reversal of his fortune from earlier in the season.
Samsonov’s recent starts included a 28-save shutout over Lada Togliatti, and two straight games in which the young netminder faced over forty shots: a 40-save loss against Ak Bars, and a 46 save shootout win over Neftekhimik.
Complete stats for past seven games
October 8 vs. Admiral (3-1 W).
TOI – 60:00
Saves – 31/32
Sv% – .969
GAA – 1
October 6 vs. Kunlun Red Star*
TOI – 4:11
Saves – 2/2
Sv% – 1.00
GAA – 0
October 1 vs. Lada (2-0 W)
TOI – 59:45
Saves – 28/28
Sv% – 1.00
GAA – 0
September 28 vs. Neftekhimik (3-2 SOW)
TOI – 65:00
Saves – 46/48
Sv% – .958
GAA – 1.85
September 26 vs. Ak Bars (2-1 L)
TOI – 58:39
Saves – 40/42
Sv% – .952
GAA – 2.05
September 24 vs. Sochi (6-4 W)
TOI – 59:13
Saves – 31/35
Sv% – .886
GAA – 4.05
September 22 vs. Salavat Yulayev (4-3 L)
TOI – 37:23
Saves – 13/14
Sv% – .929
GAA – 1.60
*In the October 6 matchup against Kunlun Red Star, Samsonov came on briefly to relieve Vasily Koshechkin while the latter was having a skate blade repaired. The game ended in a 3-2 shootout win for Metallurg.
