The Washington Capitals have swept their road trip in Buffalo.
The Washington Capitals didn’t play the prettiest of games but they got the win and that’s all that matters. They survived a 2-1 scare thanks to outstanding play from their defense, special teams and goaltender Vitek Vanecek, who made his first career NHL start.
Vanecek made 30 saves in his debut including seven saves on the power play as the Caps killed off all five penalties. He finished with a .968 save percentage.
“The dream came true,” Vanecek said via JJ Regan of NBC Sports Washington in a postgame interview that saw him get shaving cream pie to the face thanks to Tom Wilson just seconds later.
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Peter Laviolette told the media via Samantha Pell of The Washington Post (subscription required):
"“When we weren’t really sharp, I thought he was really sharp and gave us an opportunity. You are not always on top of your game, and when you are not, you need your goalie to give you a chance. And he certainly did that tonight for us.”"
The first period was scoreless as the Caps killed off three penalties. First Wilson was called for hooking then Conor Sheary was whistled for tripping before Evgeny Kuznetsov was called for holding. Despite the struggles staying out of the box, Vanecek wasn’t phased.
Highlights from @vitacz15's impressive 30-save performance en route to his first career NHL win.#CapsSabres | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/Sd3DrdmkPf
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 16, 2021
The Caps got on the board 94 seconds into the second period with Jakub Vrana‘s second of the year. Vrana’s shot went top shelf and it came off a nasty backhanded pass from Wilson. The Caps would take that 1-0 lead into the second intermission despite trailing in shots 15-7 in the second period.
The Sabres tied it with a goal 31 seconds into the third from Rasmus Ristolainen. The Caps would answer at 7:47 with a goal from Wilson for his second point of the night. Off a backdoor pass from Nicklas Backstrom, Wilson too went top shelf to give the Caps the lead.
Wilson said after the game via Pell:
"“Tonight a little slow to start, but I think we got there in the third. And we’re just going to keep building on it because it’s a new system and just trust the guy next to you to go out there and get it done.”"
Whip it good! pic.twitter.com/YNceNNp3G3
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 16, 2021
The Caps will now go to Pittsburgh for a two game series against their bitter rivals the Penguins. It’ll be an epic two games. Things are going wrong with the Pens right now as they’re 0-2.