After two games in Florida that saw Vitek Vanecek go 1-1 with a 4.21 goals-against average and a .863 save percentage, Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette has seen enough and is turning to Ilya Samsonov in net for Game Three against the Panthers.
Samsonov relieved Vanecek in Game Two and blanked the Panthers, making 17 saves on 17 shots.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
Coming into the Capitals-Panthers first-round series, Peter Laviolette said he hoped his Game One starter would grab the reins, but remained realistic that both goalies would likely play in the series.
Now, after Vitek Vanecek got pulled in Game Two and Ilya Samsonov stopped all the shots he faced in the third period, the Capitals have a dilemma on their hand.
Which goalie should start Game Three?
The Washington Capitals hoped one of their two young goaltenders would separate themselves this season, but in the end, that did not happen. Ilya Samsonov started 39 games and Vitek Vanecek started 39 games.
Now, heading into their first-round matchup with the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Florida Panthers, Capitals’ head coach Peter Laviolette remains realistic that the team will likely end up using both goaltenders in the series, but is hopeful that Sammy or Vitek steps up and grab the reigns of the position moving forward.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
Washington Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov allowed four goals on 26 shots against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night. His struggles further compound an issue the team has had the entire season: The Capitals have no idea who they can lean on as their starting goaltender.
Caps head coach Peter Laviolette went on The Sports Junkies the morning after the game to do his weekly hit on the show and spoke about that issue.
In regards to how inconsistent his netminders have been, Laviolette admits that the team may have to go with an unconventional approach of playing both goaltenders in the playoffs. The bench boss has previously said he wanted one of Samsonov or Vitek Vanecek to separate themselves from the other and neither has been able to.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
Ilya Samsonov served as the Capitals’ backup goaltender against the Canadiens on Saturday, but it sure looked like a lonely experience.
Due to Bell Centre’s benches not being as wide as other arena’s benches, Ilya was forced to sit in a tunnel alone away from his Caps teammates.
Saturday, the Washington Capitals kick off the first half of back-to-back afternoon games with a matchup against their forever rivals the Pittsburgh Penguins.
According to Mike Vogel, former Pens player Conor Sheary did not make the trip up to Pittsburgh and will miss out due to a non-COVID illness. Vogs also reports that goaltender Ilya Samsonov will get his second-straight start after beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in his last appearance.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals are set to do battle with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night as the team looks to bounce back from two consecutive big losses on home ice.
Head coach Peter Laviolette has been heavily tinkering with his lines the last two days at practice but the only confirmed lineup news we got at the team’s optional morning skate is that Ilya Samsonov will start in net.
It will be Sammy’s first start since March 25 his fifth overall since March 1.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
Vitek Vanecek was crowned by general manager Brian MacLellan to be the Capitals’ starting goaltender heading into the playoffs.
“I think it was great what he’s done here lately,” MacLellan said then of Vanecek. “I think he deserves opportunity to take the team into the playoffs.”
Less than two weeks later, the Capitals’ goaltender competition is open again after consecutive putrid starts by Vanecek.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals released a statement ahead of their game against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. In conjunction with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, the Capitals condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and “the loss of innocent life.”
It’s unclear if the Capitals’ Russian players had anything to do with the statement or share in its sentiment.
Washington Capitals general manager Brian MacLellan spoke at length with the media on Wednesday. The most talked about topic was the trade deadline and what the Caps might do to improve their team.
The Capitals, under MacLellan, have not been afraid to make aggressive moves at the deadline to load up and acquire more depth for playoff runs. This season, however, MacLellan revealed he will be a little more gun shy.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
