Caps' Samsonov in net, F Wilson remains out for Game 3 vs. Panthers

Ilya Samsonov will start Game 3 while forward Tom Wilson remains sidelined as the Washington Capitals get set to face the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon, head coach Peter Laviolette said. 

Ilya Samsonov will be in net for Game 3 against Florida this afternoon, per Laviolette.

Samsonov will be making his second appearance in the first-round series. The 25-year-old netminder was called into action for the third period in Game 2 after Vitek Vanecek surrendered five goals on 19 shots in a 5-1 loss to Florida on Thursday.

Samsonov went 23-12-5 with a 3.02 goals-against average and .896 save percentage during the regular season.

Wilson opened the scoring for the Capitals in their 4-2 win over Florida in the series opener, but left the game shortly afterwards and did not return due to a lower-body injury. Wilson did not play in Game 2. 

Caps’ Tom Wilson is OUT for Game 3 against Florida, per Laviolette.

In 78 regular-season games in 2021-22, Wilson, 28, tallied 24 goals and 28 assists.

The series is tied 1-1 as it shifts back to Washington for today's game.