Photo: Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images
Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek had a fantastic Friday night in the team’s 5-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at Canadian Life Centre. He made a season-high forty saves in the win.
A season-high 40 saves from @vitacz15 was exactly what the boys needed tonight to pick up a huge road dub.#CapsJets | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/aR80VicrN7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2021
Vanecek’s record on the season improved to 6-3-5, 2.47 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage in 15 games started.
VV = 🧱 WALL pic.twitter.com/o44EexgBSp
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2021
“He was awesome for us,” forward Conor Sheary said. “[Winnipeg] had some two-on-ones, some odd-man rushes, and point-blank chances that he seemed to be all over and didn’t give much net for them to shoot at…he’s been grinding through practices, hasn’t gotten too many games lately, but it’s great to see him battling and get us those two points.”
“It gives us a big boost on the bench when he’s making saves and doing that stuff and keeping us in the game so kudos to him.”
4️⃣0️⃣ SA𝗩𝗩ES
-> this is a @vitacz15 appreciation post <- pic.twitter.com/mHxrEsMOWS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 18, 2021
Forward Brett Leason also mentioned that Vanecek’s performance was “unbelievable,” adding that he “was the backbone for us tonight.” Head coach Peter Laviolette said Vanecek “was at his best” when the Jets pushed harder during the second period and made those key saves.
By Della Young
