Samsonov stopped 17 of 18 shots in the Capitals win over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Samsonov has been red-hot since the middle of November, winning seven of his last eight while posting a 2.13 GAA, .928 SV% and two shutouts. Tonight he'll face an Anaheim team that will likely be without both Ryan Getzlaf and Adam Henrique.
Vitek Vanecek started the first two games of the season but the Capitals will turn to Samsonov tonight vs. the Avalanche. Samsonov went 13-4-1 with a 2.69 GAA and .902 SV% in 18 starts in 18 starts last season. Colorado will get a boost tonight with Nathan MacKinnon returning from COVID-19 protocol.
Samsonov doesn't appear to be in danger of missing the start of the regular season but has been held off of the ice for the last two days due to a lower-body injury. The Capitals said they are "proceeding with caution" so monitor his status as the regular season approaches.
