Ilya Samsonov

Samsonov allowed three goals on 19 shots in Sunday's 3-1 loss to the Bruins. Samsonov kept the Bruins at bay in the first period, but they struck twice in the second en route to the series-clinching win. The 24-year-old Samsonov gave up 10 goals on 99 shots in his three appearances in the series. The Russian netminder is a restricted free agent this offseason. He'll likely head into the 2021-22 campaign battling for the starting job with Vitek Vanecek.

Samsonov turned aside 33 shots in Friday's 4-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4 of their first-round series. Three of Boston's goals came on the power play, and the Caps didn't even get on the board until they were already down 3-0 in the third period. Samsonov has faced a whopping 80 shots while losing two straight games, and whether he's back in net in Game 5 or Washington turns back to Vitek Vanecek, the team will need to give its goalie a lot more help if it's going to get back in this series.

Per JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington, Samsonov was the first goalie off the ice at morning skate, indicating he'll patrol the crease during Friday's Game 4 on the road against the Bruins. Samsonov played pretty well in Wednesday's Game 3 versus Boston, stopping 40 of 43 shots, but a...

Samsonov (not injury related) took part in Wednesday's morning skate, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports. Samsonov may be well enough to serve as the backup for Wednesday's Game 3 in Boston, but no official word regarding the 24-year-old's return has been made. Expect further updates prior to puck drop.

Samsonov (undisclosed) stopped 40 of 43 shots in a 3-2 double-overtime loss to Boston in Game 3 on Wednesday. Samsonov was terrific for Washington, but a miscommunication behind the net with defenseman Justin Schultz led directly to Craig Smith's overtime winner. Samsonov set the puck along the end boards for Schultz, who appeared to peel away in the other direction, allowing Smith to pounce on the loose puck and wrap it around before Samsonov could react. Despite the miscue, Samsonov likely performed well enough to earn the start in Game 4 on Friday.

Samsonov (undisclosed) will tend the road twine for Wednesday's clash with Boston, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports. The Russian took morning skate ahead of the clash, and as evidenced by this news, he'll return to the lineup for the first time since May 1. Samsonov was solid in the regular season, going 13-4-1 along with a 2.69 GAA and .902 save percentage in 19 appearances. The 24-year-old didn't face the Bruins often this season, accumulating a record of 0-1-0, and stopping 34 of 39 shots he faced in two appearances.

Samsonov (not injury related) will make the trip to Boston for Wednesday's Game 3 versus the Bruins, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports. Samsonov returned to practice Sunday after clearing the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Saturday, but at this point it isn't clear if he'll be in consideration to get the start in goal Wednesday. Vitek Vanecek is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury, leaving Craig Anderson as the Capitals' de facto No. 1 option in net, so Washington could certainly benefit from a return to action by Samsonov.

Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov and center Evgeny Kuznetsov practiced at the Capitals’ practice facility on Sunday, marking the first time either Russian has been on the ice for almost two weeks. Both players were placed on the league’s covid-19 protocols list on May 4, one day after both missed the previous game in New York because of disciplinary reasons.

Samsonov (undisclosed) will miss Monday's Game 2 against the Bruins, NBC Sports reports. Samsonov's still getting up to speed after clearing COVID-19 protocols over the weekend. Washington will also be without Game 1 starter Vitek Vanecek (lower body), so Craig Anderson will patrol the crease Monday while Pheonix Copley works in a backup role. Samsonov and Vanecek are in a race to regain game fitness, and whomever does so first will likely take on the starting role moving forward.

The coronavirus issues that tracked the Washington Capitals throughout the season followed them into the first round of the playoffs, with center Evgeny Kuznetsov remaining on the NHL’s covid-19 list for Saturday’s opener against the Boston Bruins. Goalie Ilya Samsonov, who started 18 games during the regular season, was removed from the list but didn’t dress for Game 1.

Samsonov (undisclosed) was on the ice for Sunday's practice, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. With Vitek Vanecek (undisclosed) exiting Saturday's Game 1 win in the first period, Samsonov could be thrust into a Game 2 starting role Monday if he shows sufficiently good form in practice Sunday. Samsonov was removed from COVID-19 protocols Saturday, and Sunday marks his first time on the ice in just over two weeks, so he could be dealing with some rust. Craig Anderson got the win in relief Saturday and will likely get the nod for Game 2 if neither Vanecek nor Samsonov are deemed ready.

Samsonov (COVID-19 protocols) didn't participate in Saturday's morning skate and will miss Game 1 against the Bruins, Samantha Pell of The Washington Post reports. Vitek Vanecek will get the start in his playoff debut, while Craig Anderson's set to work in a backup role. Samsonov will hope to clear the protocols in time for Monday's Game 2, though it remains to be seen whether he'll unseat Vanecek as starter once available.

Samsonov (undisclosed) isn't dressed for Saturday's Game 1 against Boston, with Craig Anderson working as the backup to Vitek Vanecek, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. Samsonov cleared COVID-19 protocols Saturday but wasn't able to practice and hasn't seen game action since May 1, so he won't dress in a backup role. Expect the Russian netminder to suit up for Game 2 on Monday after getting a practice under his belt Sunday, though it remains to be seen whether he'll be the starter or backup in Monday's game.

Samsonov has entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. Samsonov was scratched for Washington's last two games for what was deemed a coach's decision after being late to a team meeting, but to make matters worse, he's now joined teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov in the league's virus protocols. For now, Samsonov can be considered out indefinitely.

It isn’t unheard of for NHL teams to bench players due to internal disciplinary reasons, and this isn’t even the first publicized case of the season, but when the Washington Capitals took the ice on Monday night without two of their biggest names, people took notice. The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell was the first to report that starting goaltender Ilya Samsonov and top-six forward Evgeny Kuznetsov would not be in the lineup against the New York Rangers due to a disciplinary decision made by the coaching staff. As it turns out, the pair were late to a team function – a mistake of minutes that cost them an entire game.

In his last 16 appearances (dating back to March 5), Ilya Samsonov has allowed 27 goals on 330 shots faced at five-on-five, good for a .918 save percentage that places him 20th among the 32 NHL goalies with 500-plus minutes played during that span (Vitek Vanecek ranks 26th at .909).

Samsonov will defend the blue paint during Saturday's home game versus the Penguins, JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington reports. Samsonov has been on a roll recently, stringing together four straight victories while registering an admirable 1.72 GAA and .933 save percentage. He'll try to earn his 14th win of the campaign in a home matchup with a Pittsburgh team that's averaging 3.24 goals per game on the road this year, sixth in the NHL.