McKenna’s Matchup of the Day: Mar. 21 – Ilya Samsonov vs. Ilya Sorokin

Former NHL netminder Mike McKenna provides his Daily Faceoff Starting Goalie Matchup of the Day for Tue. Mar. 21, 2023:

Why I like this matchup:

Two goalies on teams currently in position to make the Stanley Cup playoffs! Two Russians! Two guys named Ilya! Two for Tuesday!

What to watch for:

There’s been a wave of Russian netminders in the last decade, and Sorokin and Samsonov are part of it. They just arrived in the NHL in different ways. Samsonov was a 2015 first-round NHL draft pick of the Washington Capitals. He arrived in North America at just 21 years old. Despite going to the Islanders in the third round of the 2014 draft, Sorokin chose to stay in Russia until his 24th birthday.

I think Sorokin is one of the best goalies in the world. When I want to show technicality and control to a young goaltender, clips of Sorokin are my go-to. He’s a great skater. And Sorokin plays in control. His consistency is staggering: through 52 games this season, the Isles netminder has a .925 save percentage. Which is precisely the same mark he posted in 52 games last year. Sorokin has a career .924 save percentage – the highest of any active NHL goaltender with a minimum of 100 games played.

Samsonov is close to becoming a full-time No.1 with the Maple Leafs. His play warrants it. But he did miss time earlier this year due to injury. And Matt Murray – his Toronto goaltending partner – has two Stanley Cup championships under his belt. So it’s important for Samsonov to keep his .917 save percentage up. And keep bad goals to a minimum. Samsonov is 5-1-1 in his past seven starts. And against good teams: six of his past seven opponents would qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs if it started tomorrow.

What fantasy owners should do:

More scoring from the Islanders would put Sorokin among fantasy hockey’s elite netminders. But New York has been better lately. Sorokin is a lock to start, even against the Leafs. And I like how Samsonov has played lately against quality teams. Start him as well.

Bottom line for Ilya Samsonov:

He’s got the edge of Murray right now. But he has to maintain it.

Bottom line for Ilya Sorokin:

He’s capable of stealing a Stanley Cup playoff series. But first, the Islanders have to make it. The NHL’s Eastern Conference is perilously tight.