Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek exits Game 1 with undisclosed injury
The first goal of the 2021 postseason for both the Bruins and winger Jake DeBrusk also spelled the end of the first career postseason start for Vitek Vanecek, as the Washington starter immediately left the game with an undisclosed injury.
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Vanecek, who was named the Caps’ starter after posting 21 wins and a .908 save percentage in 37 games this season, did not return for the second period and left this contest with stops on three of four shots. Vanecek posted a 4-3-0 record and .905 save percentage in seven games against the Bruins during the regular season.
And with Vanecek out, and with Ilya Samsonov still unavailable due to COVID protocols, the Capitals have turned to veteran Craig Anderson as the team’s de facto starting netminder.
The 39-year-old Anderson went 2-1-0 with a .915 save percentage in four regular season appearances, and took to the D.C. net with 23 wins and a .929 save percentage in 46 career playoff games. Anderson, who was in net for the Sens’ first-round series victory over the Bruins in 2017, has 12 wins and a .907 save percentage in 27 career games against the Bruins.
Pheonix Copley, who has appeared in 29 game since 2015-16 (and none since 2018-19), is Washington’s emergency backup.
