Friday, Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov became the first goalie in NHL history to win his first eight career road games (in a single season). Sammy made a career-high 38 saves, including 18 in the first period, to give the Caps their first victory of the year over the Carolina Hurricanes – the same team that dismissed them in the first round last season.

After the game, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Samsonov’s closest friend on the team, spoke to members of the press and demanded that they cover Sammy’s greatness more.

You don’t “[b]ecause he is Russian, right?”

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Lars Eller, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Ilya Samsonov talk to the media after a 4-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes#ALLCAPS #CapsCanes pic.twitter.com/PnCMNuVQOZ — Washington ☃️ Capitals (@Capitals) January 4, 2020

What made the difference for you guys in the game?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: “I feel like they got pretty good looks in the period but then we controlled the game. I think that breakaway when we was on the powerplay – when Sammy stopped that breakaway – we got goal right away, it gave us a lot of energy.”

He was great in the first period to keep it even…

Evgeny Kuznetsov: “Like I said, he’s a 11-0 on the road. When Carter Hart — the goalie from Philadelphia – was 8-0, every TV, all the league was talking about how good he is, but this guy is probably one of the greatest rookies this year, right? People don’t even realize how hard it is to be behind Holts because Holts is the best goalie in the league. I believe he learn a lot from him, from the practice. That’s the greatest mentor you can ever had. I think you guys should talk more about how Sammy’s good. I don’t even heard one word how good he is right? Because he is Russian, right?” [laughs maniacally]

How is he so poised back there?

Evgeny Kuznetsov: “Maybe just because his first year and everything is new for him. An everyday new challenge. Every day he’s facing some things that he never faced maybe before. That’s sometimes it’s even better when you kind of know you have to expect it. You know, for him, every day is a new challenge. Like I said, I believe that he’s got greatest mentor. Holts in front of him. He learn a lot. He don’t say that to him. I’m around him a lot. He’s always learning from Holts. I think that’s the best duo in the league right now.”

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Hurricanes

Headline photo: FOX Sports