The Washington Capitals were back at work for an optional skate Monday morning at MedStar Capitals Iceplex following their 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday afternoon. The Capitals next host the New York Islanders for a two-game set starting Tuesday night at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7:07 p.m.

Tom Wilson, who missed Sunday’s game against the Sabres due to a lower body injury he sustained against the Sabres on Friday night, returned to practice on Monday.

Tom Wilson is out on the ice ahead of Capitals practice today. Skating around, working on skills stuff.

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 25, 2021

Wilson left Friday’s game in the third period after taking an awkward fall along the boards.

20 minutes before practice, Tom Wilson (lower body) is on the ice testing things out. He missed the third period of Friday’s game and was sidelined yesterday. Trainer Jason Serbus is watching closely. #Caps pic.twitter.com/kDj6NiyAuB

— Tarik El-Bashir (@Tarik_ElBashir) January 25, 2021

Today’s practice was optional. Skaters that participated: Wilson, Vrana, Fehervary, Siegenthaler, McMichael, TvR, Panik, Jensen, Sheary, Pinho, Sprong and Carr.

SHAVINGS

• Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek recorded 45 saves on 48 shots (.938 save percentage) last night against the Buffalo Sabres to remain unbeaten in regulation in his first four NHL starts (2-0-2). Vanecek became the fifth rookie goaltender in franchise history to record at least 45 saves and the first to do so in nearly 39 years.
  

  Goaltender		Date		Saves
  Michel Belhumeur		Dec. 7, 1974		52
  Al Jensen		Feb. 20, 1982		49
  Bernie Wolfe		Dec. 19, 1975		47
  Dave Parro		Feb. 12, 1982		46
  Vitek Vanecek		Jan. 24, 2021		45
  Bernie Wolfe		Dec. 6. 1975		45

  This season, Vanecek is 2-0-2 with a 2.87 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. He is one of two rookie goaltenders in franchise history to remain unbeaten in regulation in his first four career games, joining Jim Carey (6-0-0-1 in 1994-95). Vanecek’s .947 save percentage at five-on-five this season is tied for sixth among goaltenders with at least three games played.

Vitek Vanecek stopped 45 of 48 total shots faced for .938 game save percentage, stopped 32 of 32 shots at even strength, and stopped 13 of 13 high danger chances. (He stopped 7 of 7 high danger chances in his fist game as well). #ALLCAPS

— NoVa Caps (@NoVa_Caps) January 25, 2021

By Jon Sorensen