Vitek Vanecek

Tom Wilson explains why Vitek Vanecek actually had a shutout in his NHL debut

Vitek Vanecek was tremendous against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday.

After toiling in the minor leagues for five seasons, Vanecek made his NHL debut on Friday and stopped 30 of 31 shots, earning his first career victory and shaving cream pie to the face. “The dream came true,” said the Czech netminder.

Tom Wilson, however, believes the stats are wrong. After the game, the second-line right wing explained why Vanecek actually had a shutout.

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By Ian Oland 3 hours ago

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Vitek Vanecek will make his NHL debut tonight against the Sabres

Vitek Vanecek, 25, will make his NHL debut Friday against the Buffalo Sabres, realizing a dream that he has worked hard to achieve.

Vanecek, a Capitals’ second-round draft pick in the 2014 NHL Draft, has spent the last five seasons in the AHL with the Hershey Bears.

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By Ian Oland 1 day ago

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Ilya Samsonov and Jakub Vrana congratulate Vitek Vanecek on making the team

Vitek Vanecek has officially made the Capitals and 2020-21 will be his rookie season in the NHL.

Two of Vaneck’s close friends in the organization, Jakub Vrana and Ilya Samsonov, congratulated their fellow Hershey Bears alum on Instagram Monday night with two huggy photos.

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By Eliza Kravitz 4 days ago

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Capitals choose goaltending duo of Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, Craig Anderson taxi squad bound

It’s official. The Washington Capitals will turn to two young goaltenders with a combined 26 NHL appearances in net this season: Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek.

Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette announced the news after practice on Monday where the team appeared to set their opening night roster. Craig Anderson, 39, has also apparently made the taxi squad as the team’s third goalie.

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By Ian Oland 5 days ago

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Vitek Vanecek’s new Washington Capitals themed mask

Vitek Vanecek is expected to back up Ilya Samsonov next season and now he will have a mask that looks the part.

Tuesday, Swedish mask painter Dave Gunnarsson released the design of Vanecek’s new bucket. The predominant design feature is the Weagle logo which is featured on the top of mask. Other subtle details include blue stars on the chin and a subtractive Capitals logo in white on the sides.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Brian MacLellan anticipates Ilya Samsonov starting, Vitek Vanecek backing up during 2020-21 season

Henrik Lundqvist’s shocking announcement that he would not play this season due to a heart condition rocked the Capitals organization and the NHL community as a whole. But inside the walls of MedStar Capitals Iceplex, Hank’s exit also represented, as sad as the circumstances, an opportunity for the team’s young goaltenders who have been in a fierce and friendly competition for NHL playing time over the last few years.

Wednesday, Brian MacLellan confirmed that Ilya Samsonov would be the Capitals’ starting netminder next season during the Capitals general manager’s first press conference since Lundqvist’s announcement was made.

Mac added that while the team was open to possibly adding a veteran goalie via free agency or trade, they were also content with their depth at the position.

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By Ian Oland 3 weeks ago

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Jakub Vrana celebrates Christmas with family in Czech Republic before flying back for NHL season

Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov weren’t the only Capitals players to go wheels up on Sunday.

Twenty-four-year-old forward Jakub Vrana flew from his native Czech Republic for DC as the NHL and NHLPA officially announced their plans for the 2020-21 season this afternoon.

“Taking off 🇺🇸,” Vrana wrote.

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By Ian Oland 4 weeks ago

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Capitals dog, Captain, featured in first hockey card with Alex Ovechkin

Upper Deck released its latest series of hockey cards on November 18. Entitled 2020-21 Upper Deck Series 1, the set is highlighted by Alexis Lafreniere’s Young Guns rookie card. But it also features a furry friend Capitals fans love.

Captain, the Washington Capitals’ adopted team pup, has a rookie card in the set, too.

Well, sort of.

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By Ian Oland 2 months ago

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Ross Mahoney is ‘really curious’ to see how Connor McMichael, Martin Fehervary, and Vitek Vanecek perform during training camp

Washington Capitals assistant general manager Ross Mahoney spoke to reporters on Zoom Wednesday a week ahead of the 2020 NHL Draft.

Mahoney, who described himself as a Zoomer due to all of the summer conference calls he’s done with draft-eligible prospects, said the Capitals will not focus on re-stocking any particular position and select the “best player available” when they pick 24th overall in the upcoming draft.

The longtime executive also spoke about several Capitals prospects he’s looking forward to watching during training camp to see if they’re ready to take the next step.

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By Ian Oland 4 months ago

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Vitek Vanecek wins backup goaltending job behind Braden Holtby: ‘He’s a lot better than he’s been rewarded for’

Capitals head coach Todd Reirden announced Vitek Vanecek will back up Braden Holtby during the Caps’ round-robin game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, completing an unlikely rise up the depth chart for the young Czech. Vanecek has locked down the backup goalie spot for the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs and outplayed Pheonix Copley for the opportunity.

“Ultimately, he’s done a lot of really good things over the last couple of years – being a two-time All-Star in the American Hockey League, his game continues to improve every year,” Reirden said recently. “Had another solid year before the pause down in Hershey. He’s a guy we want to see in this type of setting.”

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By Ian Oland 6 months ago

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