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Maple Leafs' Samsonov balancing home life, work as he's about to become first-time dad.
20 ìàðòà 2023 ãîäà. Terry Koshan, Toronto Sun. Ilya Samsonov acknowledged he is fighting some nerves these days, not that anyone could blame him. The Maple Leafs goaltender and his wife Maria are on the verge of becoming parents for the first time — she is due to give birth to a son — and Samsonov is trying to maintain the proper balance between what’s going to be a monumental change at home and his job of stopping the puck for the Leafs. Samsonov has been tapped to start on Tuesday night on Long Island, where the Leafs will play against the New York Islanders to begin a four-game trip. “It is a little bit hard, it’s no secret,” Samsonov said after the Leafs practised at the Ford Performance Centre on Monday. “But you need to stay focused on the game, especially for (Tuesday). “I live day by day right now. My wife, she supports me too. She talks to me, no stress, just to play hockey and we’ll figure it out. “My life will change (in) the next few days. I want to say thank you to all the organization, get some extra time for me, stay with my wife and it’s huge we stay together a little bit more. I’m happy to be back right now. “It’s hard to say (when the baby will be born). Just God knows this. I’m not doctor. I don’t know when. We’ll see.” Samsonov watched from home on Saturday as Matt Murray shone in a 5-4 shootout win in Ottawa against the Senators, making 48 saves before stopping another six shots after overtime. Goaltender Joseph Woll, who was recalled from the Toronto Marlies last week, remains with the team with Samsonov set to depart at a moment’s notice. Samsonov didn’t travel on the weekend for a couple of reasons — his wife’s pregnancy and so he could give a minor injury a rest. “Nothing crazy, but sometimes you feel this one,” Samsonov said. “I feel good. Good mental spot. Good physically. I’m ready. “Everything is good. We just need to fix it. It’s no big deal.” A positive development at practice was the participation of forward Noel Acciari, who departed the win against Carolina on Friday after a collision with Hurricanes forward Jesse Puljujarvi. Acciari skated with David Kampf and Zach Aston-Reese, his usual linemates, and said he expected to play in New York. The status of defenceman TJ Brodie was not as clear. Brodie was not on the ice after he was hurt blocking a shot during the game in Ottawa. He’s day to day, Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said, with a decision to come on Tuesday for Brodie’s possible inclusion versus the Isles. From appearances, it’s probable that Keefe will use 12 forwards and six defencemen in New York. One wrinkle at forward continues to have William Nylander on the right side on a line with Sam Lafferty at centre and Bobby McMann on the left, which is how the three lined up in Ottawa. Keefe said it’s partly about getting Nylander, who has gone three games without a point, back to the level that the gifted Swede has played at for much of the season. As for the goaltending situation, Keefe acknowledged that factoring in Samsonov’s impending fatherhood presents challenges as the staff makes its goaltending plans for the week. After the Leafs play the Islanders, they will visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday, followed by back-to-back games in Carolina and Nashville on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. “We’re going to take it a day at a time,” Keefe said. “But certainly, as we could all imagine, he’s on edge a little bit with making sure that things are taken care of here.” What’s not a concern is Samsonov’s play. He’s 24-8-3 and his .917 save percentage was seventh in the NHL prior to games on Monday. Goalie coach Curtis Sanford has been key, but it comes down to the work of Samsonov, who has been sharp after the Washington Capitals didn’t qualify him last summer. “He’s had some bumps along the way, (but) he rectifies that really quickly, which is what you’re looking for,” Keefe said of Samsonov. “No goalie goes through an entire season without some bumps. The difference between the top-end goaltenders and everybody else is that they do it more consistently, and they are able to bring it back. That’s what we’ve seen from him, really from both our goalies.” tkoshan@postmedia.com |
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