The Toronto Maple Leafs may have squandered Ilya Samsonov's return to the crease in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday night, but the team saw plenty of positives in the embattled goaltender's performance.
"He battled his ass off," head coach Sheldon Keefe told reporters postgame. "It's the best I thought he's looked all season just in terms of how he was tracking the puck and some of the saves looked like the Sammy that we came to know last season. So I think this is a positive step for him."
The fans at Scotiabank Arena seemed to agree, as they showered the netminder with "Sammy" chants after he made an incredible glove save on J.T. Compher in the late stages of the final frame to keep the game tied at two.
It was a refreshing moment for Samsonov, who has mostly been regaled with the Bronx cheer throughout the season. However, Red Wings forward Andrew Copp ended up raining on the Maple Leafs' parade with the game-winner soon after Compher's shot attempt.
"Obviously (Samsonov) made a couple massive saves for us throughout the game," star forward Mitch Marner said. "It was great to hear the fans chant his name, give him the love he deserves."
Samsonov was deeply appreciative of the fans' show of support.
"I love those guys," he said. "It's no secret for everybody. I love the fans, I love the city, I enjoy (being) here every day, thank you so much. It's amazing."
All in, Samsonov made 20 saves on 23 shots. It was his first appearance since Dec. 21, when he surrendered six goals on 21 shots against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Leafs placed him on waivers shortly after that performance and reassigned him to the AHL's Toronto Marlies, where he worked with goalie coach Hannu Toivonen before being recalled last week.
Samsonov believed he saw the puck well in his return to NHL action, but admitted it was "tough to talk about the result."
The Maple Leafs held a 2-1 lead heading into the third period, but the Red Wings scored three unanswered goals - including one empty-netter - to secure the comeback. Toronto is now on a three-game losing streak, and the team has blown a lead in all three defeats.
Next up for the Leafs is a clash against the red-hot Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday. Connor McDavid and Co. secured their 10th straight victory on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.
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