Photo: @Capitals

Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette told media Monday morning that Zach Fucale will get the start in goal tonight against the Bruins. Vitek Vanecek will be the backup. Ilya Samsonov is healthy but will be the scratch.

Zach Fucale is the confirmed starter in net tonight vs Boston.

Vanecek will be backing up Fucale. Samsonov is healthy. Laviolette said it was a chance for Vanecek to get back on the ice after being out for awhile (had non-covid illness, before that he was in covid protocols).

— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) January 10, 2022

In his second career NHL start on Saturday against the Minnesota Wild, Caps rookie goaltender Zach Fucale broke a Washington franchise record for longest shutout streak at the start of his Caps career in the first period, and he broke an NHL record for the longest shutout streak by an NHL netminder at the outset of his career in the second period.

Bruin Doings

The Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins tonight at Capital One Arena for the first of three meetings between the clubs this season, after splitting the season series last year (4-4-0). Nicklas Backstrom led the Capitals with nine points (1g, 8a) in eight games against the Bruins in 2020-21.

Zach Attack

Fucale’s streak ended at 138 minutes and 17 seconds when he yielded the first goal of his NHL career to Mats Zuccarello in the final minute of regulation. Fucale set an NHL record for the longest streak without allowing a goal to start their career, beating Matt Hackett’s (Minnesota) mark of 102:48 set in 2011.

“Every day is a good opportunity. You always have to prove yourself in this league – every day you have to prove yourself. It’s a real nice challenge and it’s really exciting.”

Zach Fucale after morning skate.#CapsBruins | @MedStarHealth pic.twitter.com/ceEgIdZgoE

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 10, 2022

In his first three NHL games, Fucale is 1-0-1 with one shutout, a 0.42 goals-against average and a .980 save percentage. He has stopped all 42 shots at five-on-five, including five rush attempts and 12 high-danger opportunities.

By Jon Sorensen