Ilya Samsonov on his Game 1 performance: 'I played like sh*t today'

It was a Game 1 to forget for the Toronto Maple Leafs as they opened up their first round playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second straight year.

The Maple Leafs fell to the Lightning by a score of 7-3 and were down 3-0 after the opening period. While the Maple Leafs got on the board with a pair of goals in the middle frame, they were down 6-2 after 40 minutes.

To start the final period, Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe decided to make a change, pulling Ilya Samsonov and putting rookie goaltender Joseph Woll in for his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.

After the game, Samsonov met with the media and was very frank with his performance during Game 1 after allowing six goals on 29 shots.



While the series is far from over, both teams have plenty to worry about heading into Game 2 on Thursday night. For Sheldon Keefe and the Maple Leafs, they'll have to decide who to start between the pipes, Samsonov or Woll, and they'll be awaiting the decision of Player Safety's hearing with Michael Bunting and if he'll be suspended or available to them.

As for the Lightning, they suffered three injuries during Game 1, including to star defenceman Victor Hedman, as well as to Erik Cernak and Michael Eyssimont.

Puck drop for Game 2 on Thursday night is set for 7 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

Ilya Samsonov: «I will be better. I played like shit today.»— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) April 19, 2023