On Tuesday, Washington Capitals forward Jakub Vrana spoke to the media following today’s morning skate at Nassau Coliseum prior to tonight’s tilt against the New York Islanders (7 PM ET, NBC Sports Washington). He discussed returning to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for the past two games and focusing on helping the team get two points at the end of the night.
As mentioned, Vrana will draw back into tonight’s lineup against the Islanders after serving as a healthy scratch for the past two games. He said, “For myself, it’s obviously disappointing…I try to keep myself [in] shape, keep my body ready…try to work on some things out there whenever I get the chance to play again.”
Head coach Peter Laviolette indicated this would be a “reset” for the 25-year-old. “I am focused on tonight’s game and I am going to go out there and do my best to help the team to win the game,” Vrana said.
Vrana mentioned he and Laviolette have had some conversations. “There [are] some things during the game I need to work on. There [are] definitely things I agree…at the same time, whatever is going on, we keep it in the locker room.”
“The only thing I can control is go out there and work my ass off. Work hard…try to do what I do best and that’s my focus on right now,” Vrana said, adding “[As] I said before, try to help the team to get the win tonight and we move on.”
The recent scratches marked the first time Vrana was out of the lineup since Game 2 of the first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Columbus Blue Jackets on April 15, 2018. “Whatever happens in the past, happens in the past,” Vrana said about drawing back in. “I’m looking forward.”
“I am focused on tonight’s game and I am going to go out there and do my best to help the team to win the game.”
Jakub Vrana talks his return to the lineup after today’s morning skate.#CapsIsles | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/cpl0I9IBXg
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) April 6, 2021
By Della Young
