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Sportsnet Analyst proposes interesting theory about why Samsonov is struggling


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Ryan Smitheram
October 31, 2023  (2:06 PM)
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At 2-1-1 with a 3.98 GAA and .841 save percentage to begin the season, Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov has struggled - that's no secret. After being pulled in favour of Joseph Woll against the Tampa Bay Lightning just 10 days ago, Samsonov has been relegated to a backup role behind Woll, not seeing another start until this past Saturday's game in Nashville.

Samsonov was very open about his mental struggles through his first three games of the season. After returning to the net Saturday against the Nashville Predators this weekend, he had what could be considered his best game of the season, even though the Leafs lost 3-2 in overtime.
Yesterday on The Real Kyper and Bourne show, Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne discussed the Leafs' goaltending situation and why Samsonov is struggling. In that discussion, Kypreos made a very bold statement about Samsonov and why he is struggling and praised Woll for stabilizing the net.
"At least they've got Joseph Woll, who's off to this shot out of a cannon start the a goaltender, to fall back on. I would hate to see where the Leafs' situation would be if Woll wasn't at the place he's at right now. I don't claim to know what is going on with him, but do you think it could be as simple as that [Woll playing well enough to cut into his starts]? This is him feeling the heat of competition? I hope that is not the case, because he should feel like Saturday night was a legit building block. Far from perfect, but like we said last week, Joseph Woll hasn't played 40 games ever in his career. I'm right in this with him, and may the best man win, but that's not what you sense out of Samsonov."

Kypreos believes that the pressure from Woll's hot start is making Samsonov worry about whether he is going to start the next game or not instead of just going out and playing and stopping pucks. While Kypreos admits he can't confirm whether that is the true reason why Samsonov is struggling, it could very well be playing a role and impacting him mentally. The other thing that could be contributing to Samsonov's tough start is the fact that he will be a UFA at the end of the season and is playing for a long-term contract and hoping to prove that last year was not a fluke.
Kypreos also alluded to the fact that Samsonov had a much better performance Saturday against Nashville and with Woll starting tonight against the LA Kings, Samsonov will have more time to work on and fine-tune his game before a possible start Thursday against the Boston Bruins.
Previously on Maple Leafs Daily
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2022 3rd overall pick Logan Cooley reveals that another team almost traded up for him at 3
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OCTOBRE 31   |   200 ANSWERS
Sportsnet Analyst proposes interesting theory about why Samsonov is struggling

Will Woll start more than Samsonov over the next 20 games?

Yes11758.5 %
No3316.5 %
They'll get an equal split5025 %
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