Ilya Samsonov was the first star of the night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 22-year-old rookie stopped 27 of 28 Blue Jackets shots, a .964 save percentage, to earn the 2-1 overtime victory.
And he had a special person in attendance for the game.
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“Whole team really play good today,” Samsonov said. “My mom first time watch my game live. And awesome team win. Really hard game after Christmas break.”
Samsonov's mom got to see him play in the NHL for the first time tonight :') pic.twitter.com/rtjie82uEv
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) December 28, 2019
The victory was Samsonov’s tenth in 12 starts, which is a new franchise record.
With his 12th start of the season, Ilya Samsonov earned his 10th win, the least amount of starts in franchise history a rookie has taken to earn 10 wins.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 28, 2019
Coming into Friday’s game, there was only one Caps rookie goaltender who had as good a start in the NHL as Sammy: Jim Carey.
Ilya Samsonov is getting the start for the Capitals tonight. This season, Samsonov (9-2-1) became the second goaltender in franchise history to record nine wins in his first 11 starts as a rookie, joining Jim Carey (9-1-1; 1994-95).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 28, 2019
Carey won the Vezina Trophy his next season as a starter (1995-96) before flaming out.
— Ryan Drury (@CKNX_Drury) December 28, 2019
With Braden Holtby due a major raise in his next contract, Samsonov has done all he can to prove that he’s a worthy option if the Capitals cannot bring the Holtbeast back.
#CapsJackets 3 ⭐️'s of the game:
⭐️: Ilya Samsonov
⭐️⭐️: Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ)
⭐️⭐️⭐️: @TJOshie77 pic.twitter.com/wP29H9EDtC— Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) December 28, 2019
Full RMNB Coverage of Caps vs Blue Jackets
Headline photo: @Capitals
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