Samsonov is expected to start the Maple Leafs' season opener vs. the Canadiens. After a successful first season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, in which he competed for the starting role, Samsonov will begin the 2023-24 campaign as the undisputed starting goalie for the Maple Leafs. Samsonov posted a 2.33 GAA and .919 SV in 42 games (27-10-5) last season, awarding him a one-year, $3.55 million contract through arbitration.
Samsonov faced some difficulties in the preseason but still managed a 2-0-1 record despite a pedestrian 2.96 GAA and .879 SV%. Even so, Samsonov should feel confident facing a Montreal Canadiens team that ranked seventh-worst offensively last season, averaging only 2.77 goals per game. Conversely, the Maple Leafs ranked seventh-best defensively, allowing an average of 2.68 goals per game. In two contests against the Canadiens last season, Samsonov posted a 1.99 GAA and .923 SV% along with a 1-0-1 record.