The Washington Capitals recalled Vitek Vanecek from his conditioning loan on Monday.
Vanecek, who spent five seasons in the AHL before graduating to the NHL, made his first start for the Hershey Bears on Sunday since March 7, 2020 – a span of 722 days.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals announced Sunday morning that goaltenders Vitek Vanecek and Pheonix Copley have been re-assigned to the Hershey Bears.
The team made sure to note that Vanecek is only headed to the AHL for a conditioning loan and The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell believes it is likely he will start for the Bears in their game Sunday against the Utica Comets.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
As a deepening crisis unfolds on the other side of the world, there will be hockey tonight. Sure feels insignificant though, right?
As for tonight’s game, the Washington Capitals will likely get both TJ Oshie and Justin Schultz back in the lineup against the New York Rangers.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals have not been playing good hockey lately. The Caps have won only 8 of their 19 games in 2022 so far and have been outplayed over the last two weeks by some of the NHL’s worst teams: the Canadiens, Senators, Blue Jackets, and Flyers.
But reinforcements appear to be coming. After receiving three days off from Peter Laviolette over the weekend, the Capitals returned to practice on Monday and several core players skated again after being out due to injury.
TJ Oshie, Justin Schultz, and Vitek Vanecek participated in practice per the Washington Post’s Samantha Pell. Meanwhile, Anthony Mantha skated and wore a non-contact jersey.
Although he did not make the Capitals road trip to Nashville and Philadelphia, Capitals forward TJ Oshie took the ice yesterday for the first time since he was hurt against the Islanders on January 15.
According to The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell, Oshie skated with Anthony Mantha and the plan is for both recovering forwards to continue to skate while the team is on the road.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals were back at MedStar Capitals Iceplex Monday, a day after losing for the fifth time in a row on home ice. They are preparing to head out on a two-game road trip to Nashville and Philadelphia.
According to The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir, the team could get some help in the goaltending department as Vitek Vanecek will make the trip despite not practicing. Unfortunately, TJ Oshie will not.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals took their morning skate Tuesday before a Metropolitan Division matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena.
Pheonix Copley was the first goaltender off of the ice and will make his first NHL start for the Capitals since April 6, 2019. Copley will get the start over Ilya Samsonov.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
The Washington Capitals held an optional, afternoon practice on Monday. It was their first time hitting the ice as a team since the All-Star Break concluded.
According to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, notably missing from the ice were Caps captain Alex Ovechkin, Connor McMichael, and both mainstay goaltenders Vitek Vanecek and Ilya Samsonov.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek made the start against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, but only lasted 6:43 into the first period due to injury.
Vanecek was crashed into by Penguins forward Kasperi Kapanen in front of the net. The Czech goaltender then lost his balance, slid backward, and slammed the back of his head against the goal frame.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
Vitek Vanecek will get the start tonight against the Boston Bruins. Peter Laviolette, in the process, is handing the 26-year-old Czech netminder an opportunity to become the Washington Capitals’ full-time starter in net.
Vanecek has been the starter in three of the last four games as the Capitals try to find some stability at the position.
By Chris Cerullo 2 years ago
