Screen cap: @Capitals
The Washington Capitals recalled goaltender Zach Fucale from Hershey on Wednesday. Head coach Peter Laviolette said the move was primarily in response to Vitek Vanecek receiving a hit late in the game against the Sabres on Monday.
While Vanecek did practice with the team on Wednesday, Laviolette said they will bring all three netminders on their road trip.
“Three goalies will travel with us. We have room on the roster right now, so we’ll take three goalies with us,” said Laviolette following the team’s practice on Wednesday. The team will depart on a two-game road trip this afternoon.
It does appear the Capitals might be interested in getting a look at Fucale, who has gone 3-0-2-0 with a 1.83 GAA and a .933 save percentage so far this season with Hershey. Ilya Samsonov has been struggling so far this season, and the Capitals may want to get a longer look at Fucale.
Laviolette would not rule out Fucale getting a start in the next two games.
”I think I’m gonna wait until I talk to these guys and wait ‘til the morning skate,” said Laviolette. “Sometimes things are a way on one day and then the next morning you wake up and things are better or they’re worse or they’re the same or whatever. That’s why it’s hard to get into those things. I think what we’ll do is we’ll wait until tomorrow and evaluate and we’ll see where it’s at and we’ll make a decision and an announcement.”
Fucale met with the media following practice on Wednesday. He said he feels like his game is going really well right now.
“I feel like the last few years have been trending in the right direction. I got a good thing going and I’m just sticking to my game. I feel like things are working well right now.”
Zach Fucale after today’s practice.#ALLCAPS | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/9b6s2f1yyF
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 10, 2021
The Capitals will face the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night in Detroit and then travel to Columbus for a tilt with the Blue Jackets on Friday night. This will be the Capitals first set of back-to-back games so far this season.
By Jon Sorensen
Send Sammy down to Hershey. He hates it there and will motivate him to get his game going.
At this point, it wouldn’t hurt to give Fucale a game. Sammy has a lot of chances this season to get himself straight and if he does fail, good on the Caps to see if Fucale could be VV’s backup next year. I hope Sam gets it rolling though…
At his age (26) and with his travel from team to team (Caps would be his 12th), Zach must know that this is his opportunity both with the Caps and the Bears. He might never have as good an opportunity as he has this year. Copley is obviously not a threat or he would be making the trip. Zach has a chance to show the Caps and the other teams that he has matured into the goalie that was expected when he was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 draft.