Washington Capitals: Top 3 studs against the Penguins

The Washington Capitals played a complete team game from start to finish in a dominating win over the Pittsburgh Penguins that could’ve easily been a shutout.

After a scoreless first period, the Caps would break through first on a goal from Conor Sheary against his former team. They would double that lead with a good defensive play from Alex Ovechkin that led to a goal from Jakub Vrana. Lars Eller put the exclamation point on the game with a goal early in the third period and the Caps hung on from there on out.

Here were the top 3 studs from the game.

#3 Vitek Vanecek

It’s a shame some fans and Caps Twitter were quick to criticize Vitek Vanecek when the team was on a four game slide when the defense in front of him was simply bad. After a dreadful Sunday afternoon where he allowed six goals on 38 shots. He bounced back in a big way Tuesday night.

Early in the game he made a stop on a shorthanded breakaway attempt. It was a huge play and it led to momentum shifting towards the Caps. Vanecek finished with 26 saves on 27 shots.

#2 Jakub Vrana

For the second straight game, Jakub Vrana lit the lamp for the Caps. His goal doubled their lead in the second period. His goal was his fifth of the season and he also has five assists for 10 points. It came at the 11:31 mark of the second period.

With the Caps on a four game losing streak including being without Vrana for the Philadelphia Flyers game, they needed players like V to step up. With a tough stretch coming up, the Caps need to win some games. Vrana has four points in his last four games.

Peter Laviolette said after the game via Samantha Pell of The Washington Post (subscription required):

“It’s something to build off. It’s just a step in the right direction. We’ve got tough games coming up, but I think at this point what you’re trying to do is just build that on the ice, that identity and not focus so much on the results. Tonight it happened the results followed.”

Vrana has a chance to prove that he’s a superstar. He’s tired of people bringing up the past when he struggled in the playoffs and so far he’s got the drive to put up another 25 goal season.