Washington Capitals netminder Vitek Vanecek won't return to Game 1 against the Boston Bruins after suffering a lower-body injury in the first period, the team announced.
Veteran puck-stopper Craig Anderson took over in net for the Capitals.
The play occurred on a goal by Jake DeBrusk. The Bruins winger beat Vanecek with a quick shot off the faceoff, and the Czech goalie appeared to tweak something while attempting to make the stop.
Off the faceoff and into the net. Jake DeBrusk ties this game up at ☝️ #ItsOn pic.twitter.com/cw7CKVBm5e
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 15, 2021
The game marked Vanecek's postseason debut after the 25-year-old posted a .908 save percentage and 2.69 goals-against average through 37 appearances in his first NHL season.
Anderson, 39, made his first playoff appearance since 2016-17.
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