Vanecek stars as Capitals beat Sabres 3-1

Vitek Vanecek’s time as the Washington Capitals top net-minder may be coming to an end with the expected return of Ilya Samsonov. If it is, Vanecek is going out in style. The 25-year-old rookie made 22 saves on 23 shots as the Capitals (8-4-3) beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 at Capital One Arena Thursday night.

Though the score might not suggest it, the Capitals were in control throughout most of the game. Washington’s defense shut down the Sabres big offensive guns as Vanecek’s 22 saves means he has turned away 48 of the last 50 shots he’s seen. Washington’s starting goaltender, Samsonov, is expected to rejoin the team this weekend after coming off the Covid protocol list and playing a few games in Hershey to get back into game shape.

Washington opened the scoring in the first period when Nicklas Backstrom converted a power-play chance to give the Caps a 1-0 lead at the 17:23 mark.

Buffalo wasted two good scoring chances early in the period, and that allowed Vanecek to settle down and play one of his better games of the season. Caps forward Tom Wilson stretched the lead to 2-0 in the second as he muscled the puck away from Sam Reinhart during a Buffalo power play. Wilson beat Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark for the short-handed goal.

“We were trying to build on Pittsburgh, that was the focus for tonight,” Wilson said after the game. “We didn’t really give them much. Vitek really made some good saves when he needed to.”

Connor Sheary made the score 3-0 in the third period beating Ullmark on an assist from Justin Schultz and Lars Eller. Schultz fed Eller, whose shot bounced off the post. It darted right to Sheary, who buried the puck for the Caps’ third goal of the game.

“I think it’s a good sign our line is creating chances, and I’m getting opportunities,” Sheary said in his postgame news conference with reporters. “I was definitely fortunate to get another bounce and to be able to score at the end there.”

For head coach Peter Laviolette, the improved play at the roster’s bottom gives him more flexibility and keeps the minutes played by his top two lines low. Laviolette was especially pleased with Sheary’s game Thursday night.

“I like everything about his game right now,” Laviolette said. “He’s working really hard. There’s something to be said for that. If you work continuously on the ice good things will happen for you. He’s competing, he’s in the battles, he’s fast, he’s turning things over, his line mates have been playing for him. That line has been really effective for us, and I think they’ve been a big part of our success in the last few games. They’ve been able to go out and play hard, play good defensive hockey, and then able to contribute offensively, so they’ve done a terrific job.”

The Caps now face back-to-back games this weekend, starting with the New York Islanders Saturday at 12:30 pm. The New Jersey Devils come to Capital One Arena Sunday for a night game.