On Monday, Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek spoke to the media following today’s practice at Medstar Capitals Iceplex. He discussed feeling confident after starting two games and carrying that momentum through the season.
After going 1-0-1 in the first two games of the season, Vaneck said he “feels pretty good.” The 25-year-old had a great week—he ranks eighth among goaltenders with 1.44 goals-against average, 14th in the league with a .938 save percentage, and has made 45 saves and allowed only three goals during 124 minutes on the ice.
He also said it “means a lot” that head coach Peter Laviolette is confident in him in the net. “If you’re not playing [well], you will not play…I’m trying my best to play the best and help the team win every game,” Vanecek added.
“Working hard in the practice…focus on the hockey,” Vanecek said on maintaining his consistency to be the starting goaltender. “When you’re at the rink, just thinking about the hockey and doing everything that I can and just be confident.”
Vanecek feels his skating is his strength. “[I] try to be on my feet…when it’s two-on-one, I just skate, not slide. It’s helped me a lot.”
He doesn’t dwell on the fact of becoming the Capitals’ number one goaltender. He said, “If the coach gave me a chance, I’ll play my best.”
Vitek Vanecek discusses his hot start to the season and more with the media after today’s practice. #ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/BiQxHDjkzX
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 18, 2021
By Della Young
