Being asked to come in relief is never an easy task for an NHL goaltender.
However, in Washington’s 4-3 overtime win over the Penguins on Tuesday, Capitals netminder Ilya Samsonov made it look easy.
Relieving an injured Vitek Vanecek, Samsonov saved 43 of 45 shots, and his performance was a key reason the Capitals walked away with two points against their Metropolitan Division rival. He saved all 33 shots at even strength, including multiple highlight-reel stops that made the rounds on Twitter.
Ilya. Samsonov. 😱 pic.twitter.com/YUfOMUYdrj
— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2022
43 saves(‼️) and none bigger than this one in OT pic.twitter.com/Wg9Id84GPo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 2, 2022
Vanecek had started six of the Capitals’ last seven games, as coach Peter Laviolette has yo-yoed between Vanecek and Samsonov this season.
“He played really well,” Laviolette said about Samsonov. “For him to come off the bench and play that way was really good for our group. He played a solid game and gave us a chance.”
Dmitry Orlov scored the game-winner in overtime. The victory improves Washington (25-12-9) to 8-2-1 against Metro foes. The win also marks the team’s first two-game winning streak in the new year.
DMITRY ORLOV BEATS THE PENGUINS IN OVERTIME!!! pic.twitter.com/umSIbjO2sM
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 2, 2022
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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