"Keep your a** shut": Ex-Leafs goalie Ilya Samsonov challenges Linus Ullmark after Sens goalie's comments

Former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov has a bone to pick with Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark.

Samsonov, who now plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, called out Ullmark in an Instagram comment regarding Ullmark's ranking (10th best goalie) on the NHL Network's list of the league's top 10 goalies.

Samsonov wrote, "#10❤️," before adding a more pointed message: "November 21, keep your a** shut) or are you injured again?"

The fiery exchange began when Ullmark, during an appearance on "Leafs Morning Take" in mid-June, expressed surprise at then-Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe's decision to keep Samsonov in net during their playoff series against the Boston Bruins, despite the goaltender's struggles.

"I was surprised that they kept Samsonov in for that many games against us in the playoffs," Ullmark said.

"I felt that every time we played the Leafs and he [Joseph Woll] was in net, it felt like it was more of a challenge even though I’m not a player. Just watching him, it looked like he was in so much more control of the situation that was thrown at him."

Ullmark's comments didn't sit well with Samsonov, who took to Instagram to voice his displeasure.

Samsonov's Instagram comments were deleted later, but the stage is set for a potentially explosive confrontation when the Golden Knights visit the Senators in Ottawa on Nov. 21.

Fans react to Ilya Samsonov's Instagram comments

Ilya Samsonov's recent Instagram comments about Linus Ullmark have sparked a flurry of reactions from hockey fans online.

One fan said:

"This is so embarrassing lol dude forget to log into his burner account."

Another fan retorted:

"Ulmark is one to talk he is a career back up goalie at best."

Here are some more fan reactions:

"Did Ullmark say anything that was incorrect?" one fan wrote on X.

"He wasn’t taking a jab at Ullmark. He was trying to make it look like someone was taking a jab at HIM but forget to switch to the burner account. Only a Leaf would be so ***king stupid," another fan noted.

"Both of these losers will have to fight for their lives for a .900+ save percentage," a user commented.

"That’s actually why we didn’t resign him," another user commented.

The comments reveal a divided fanbase and add another layer of excitement to the hockey season.