Washington Capitals: 3 way too early 2021 bold predictions

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Vitek Vanecek, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

#2 The backup goalie will be Vitek Vanecek

With the limited salary cap plaguing the team, they might not have a choice but to go with an in house fix for the backup goalie situation. The name they will go with will be Vitek Vanecek. Thankfully we know Ilya Samsonov is a good goalie and ready to take the role of starter. As for Vanecek, he has zero NHL experience. It’ll be an inexperienced tandom.

Samsonov will start at least 75% of the season while the other 25% will go to Vanecek. It’ll be much different than their time in the AHL together where they split the starts with the Hershey Bears. Last season Samsnov went 16-6-2 in 26 games played with a shutout. That includes a 2.55 goals against average and a .913 save percentage.

In 2018-19 the two split the starts with the Bears. Samsonov went 20-14-2 with a 2.70 goals against average and a .898 save percentage while Vanecek went 21-10-6 with a 2.62 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.

Last season Vanecek split goaltending duties with Pheonix Copley in Hershey. Vanecek went 19-10-1 with a 2.26 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Copley on the other hand went 17-8-6 with a 2.47 goals against average and a .905 save percentage.

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