Entering today's Next Gen game, goaltender Ilya Samsonov was riding an 8 game home winning streak as well as an 8-1-0 record against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Toronto Maple Leafs were able to hold on for the victory after a late flurry by the Flyers and in doing so extended Samsonov's consecutive streak to 9 home games, which ties him for a franchise record.
The record was set 55 years ago by Bruce Gamble in 1967-68, as Samsonov has been nothing short of brilliant since his arrival to Toronto. He also recorded his 10th win of the season, gathered his 9th win against the Flyers - highest against any NHL opponent over his career - and made a big save with time running out on a Tony DeAngelo one-time slap-shot.
The Maple Leafs don't play on home ice again until the 3rd of January when they embark on a 3 game home-stand against the St.Louis Blues, the Seattle Kraken (5th), and the Detroit Red Wings (7th). Samsonov will have to wait for his chance at the franchise record until after the New Year.
