Ilya Samsonov makes 22 saves, earns win in Golden Knights debut

LAS VEGAS – With the game tied 1-1 early in the second period, Anaheim's Trevor Zegras skated alone down the right side of the slot, intent on doing what he has done with so many: He scored a goal and gave the Ducks a one-goal lead and momentum on the road.

Ilya Samsonov had none of that on Sunday night.

The veteran goalkeeper stopped 22 shots in his Las Vegas debut – including Zegras' attempt – as the Golden Knights defeated the Ducks 3-1.

“Great chance, not an easy game because I won’t be playing in a few weeks,” said Samsonov. “Huge fans, great atmosphere here, like I said. I feel great. We won the game.”

Samsonov said he was happy to be part of the home team in Vegas after losing his only two visits to T-Mobile Arena, once against Washington and once against Toronto.

“I think the best atmosphere in the league,” Samsonov said. “So happy to be here, so happy to be playing with these guys, in this locker room and still enjoying every day.”

“I don’t think he was overly busy, but the good shooters on their team still had to make saves,” Cassidy said. “I thought he held his post well with the missed shots that you see every night in the league.

Samsonov, the 22nd overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, signed a one-year deal with Vegas in July after the 27-year-old spent the last two seasons in Toronto with the Maple Leafs, where he posted an overall record of 50-10. 17-13 in 82 games with a .905 save percentage and a 2.71 GAA.

Vegas improved to 3-0-0 on the young season, marking the fifth time since the Knights joined the NHL in 2017 that they opened the season undefeated in three games.