At the next stop in play, Samsonov received a standing ovation from the crowd.
"How I say it? I almost cried," Samsonov said. "Long time [since] fans this loud. This is important for me. Long time I didn’t listen to this. This is huge. Thank you again to all the fans."
Even Brossoit was impressed when he saw Samsonov come up with those saves.
"You got to tip your cap," Brossoit said. "He played really well. I knew we were in trouble after he made the 2-on-0 save. The crowd got into it. You could tell he was starting to feel it. Got to be happy for him after what he went through."
The Jets had a chance to break the tie at 8:29 of the third period, but Samsonov stopped Rasmus Kupari, who kept the puck on a 2-on-1 and shot from the right circle.
"[Samsonov] was unbelievable," Matthews said. "I thought he was the best player on the ice for us by far, so I can’t say enough good things about him. Just the way he played tonight was incredible."
Samsonov was placed on waivers Dec. 31 after allowing 21 goals in four starts. He cleared the following day and spent the next 10 working with Toronto’s American Hockey League goaltending coach, Hannu Toivonen, before rejoining the Maple Leafs. He is 2-1-0 and has allowed four goals in three starts since returning.
"I’ve always just loved his attitude and the way he goes about his business," Matthews said. "Obviously, it wasn’t going very well for him there for a little bit, but that’s just when he worked harder and harder and really just dialed it in and did the extra work. Mentally, he’s as solid as any goalie I’ve been around and for him to rebound like he has been playing, it’s unbelievable for our team but unbelievable for his confidence."
NOTES: Matthews’ goal was his 39th this season, most in the NHL. It was also the 11th OT goal of his career, passing teammate William Nylander for second in Toronto history (Mats Sundin, 14). … Maple Leafs center John Tavares was held without a point for the ninth game in a row. … Toronto extended its streak of consecutive games without being shutout to 209, the seventh-longest in NHL history.