Ilya Samsonov confirms the good news!

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to win a 5th straight game when they welcome in the San Jose Sharks to Scotiabank Arena tonight, it will be up to goaltender Ilya Samsonov. The Russian net minder will be making his first start between the pipes since being injured earlier this month while attempting to stop Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand on a penalty shot. 

And thankfully for the first year Leafs goaltender, he's not in any discomfort and is chomping at the bit to get back into action.

“I’m happy to be back,” an upbeat Samsonov told reporters. “Last couple days I feel no pain, and I’m really excited. Feeling good. Ready to play.”

"I feel hurt in my knee, and the next attack I feel my knee is not moving great," Samsonov said. "It's so loose. I feel bad.”

He would be shut down from action by team trainers immediately afterward when he left the game. 

“Doctors say, ‘No more. Thank you, Sammy,’ ” the goalie recalled.

So far in his first season with the Leafs, Samsonov has posted positive numbers, sporting a 6-2 record with a 2.23 goals against average and .921 save percentage.

“This is hockey life. I need to stay professional. I feel good right now. I've not lost a lot. I skated on second or third day after injury. I skated all the time. I feel good. My confidence, my conditioning is pretty normal.”

Tonight's game will begin at 7:00 PM EST.