Hockey striker Jakub Vrána contributed a goal and pass to Washington’s 4: 3 victory after the Buffalo raids in Thursday’s NHL game and was declared the first star of the match. His teammate Vítek Vaněček supported the victory with 24 interventions and caught all four raids in the shootout. Filip Chytil’s second goal of the season helped the New York Rangers at least to the point of losing in Pittsburgh 3: 4 after the raids.
Washington joined without four Russian players, including Alexander Ovechkin, who violated NHL security measures against the spread of coronavirus in a joint room meeting. Crow moved into the elite line and after his actions, the Capitals took the lead 2: 1 and 3: 2 in the second period. The Czech forward first passed between the circles to Nik Dowd, who scored with a shot without preparation. Then Crow pushed through from the stop.
“We missed important players, but we didn’t think about it. We wanted to fight with all our might and a few bounces helped us. We played a good match,” said Vrána, who is in decent shape on the threshold of the new season. He scored three goals and two passes in five matches, plus he has five positive points in the +/- statistics.
His numbers contrast sharply with the last playoff, in which Washington was eliminated in the first round with the New York Islanders. Crow did not score in five matches and scored six negative points in the +/- statistics. “It’s a thing of the past. I’m trying to work on the details to be better,” he said.
Vaněček had just won the NHL premiere against Buffalo eight days ago, when he stopped 30 of the 31 shots. This time, the Czech goalkeeper shone against the same opponent in his first shootout in the competition, when neither Jack Eichel nor Taylor Hall came up with him. The raids were decided in the fourth round by John Carlson. Crow also gained confidence in the series before, but he failed with the bluff.
“I just tried to catch every raid and help the team win,” said Vaněček, who impressed his teammate Nicklas Bäckström with his performance. “It was nice to watch him. He’s incredibly calm and he pulled out in the raids. Plus, in a situation where we didn’t give the first raids and had to catch them to keep us in the game. That was great. That’s why we have both points,” he said. Swede.
Washington will miss at least three more matches for the four Russian players. Among the culprits was Ilya Samsonov, who with Vanecek form a goalkeeper pair. “I would like me to play as many matches as possible. If the coach gives me a chance, I will try to do the best for the team and win the match,” Vaněček added. Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said he had not decided yet how the goalkeeper would solve the problem. He still has the experienced Craig Anderson at his disposal.
Chytil enjoyed a nice maneuver by goalkeeper Tristan Jerry and with a backhand he pushed the puck into the open goal. The event was reminiscent of the bluffer made famous by Peter Forsberg.
The 21-year-old striker started the Rangers’ quick turn with an equalizer goal, who turned from 0: 1 to 3: 1 in three minutes at the beginning of the second period. Pittsburgh, however, erased the loss for the rest of the match and Kris Letang decided the shootout.
NHL:
Washington – Buffalo 4: 3 alone. raids (1: 1, 2: 2, 0: 0 – 0: 0)
Goals: 17. Bäckström, 25. Dowd (Crow), 34. Crow, decisive alone. Carlson Raid – 13. E. Staal, 31. Cozens, 34. Sheahan. Shots on goal: 32:27. Keeper Vítek Vaněček caught the whole match for Washington, collected three goals from 27 shots and had a success rate of 88.89 percent. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Crow, 2. Carlson (both Washington), 3. Cozens (Buffalo).
Pittsburgh – NY Rangers 4: 3 after sam. raids (1: 0, 1: 3, 1: 0 – 0: 0)
Goals: 11. Rust, 37. McCann, 52. Blugers, decisive sam. raid Letang – 23. He caught, 26. Fox, 26. Kakko. Shots on goal: 29:34. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Rust (Pittsburgh), 2. Di Giuseppe (NY Rangers), 3. P. Joseph (Pittsburgh).
Toronto – Edmonton 4:2 (0:0, 2:1, 2:1)
Goals: 26. Brooks, 32. Vesey, 52. Tavares, 60. Marner – 26. Draisaitl, 41. McDavid. Shots on goal: 29:32. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Andersen, 2. Tavares (both Toronto), 3. Draisaitl (Edmonton).
Chicago – Detroit 4:1 (1:0, 1:0, 2:1)
Goals: 14. P. Kane, 28. De Haan, 47. A. Shaw, 58. Janmark – 53. D. Larkin. Shots on goal: 28:31. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Lankinen, 2. P. Kane (both Chicago), 3. D. Larkin (Detroit).
Minnesota – San Jose 4:1 (1:1, 1:0, 2:0)
Goals: 6. Eriksson Ek, 34. Paris, 59. Fiala, 60. Greenway – 7. Nieto. Shots on goal: 29:29. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Parise, 2. Eriksson Ek (both Minnesota), 3. Dubnyk (San Jose).
Dallas – Nashville 7:0 (0:0, 5:0, 2:0)
Goals: 23rd and 45th Pavelski, 25th and 35th Radulov, 31st Guryanov, 37th Lindell, 55th Kiviranta. Shots on goal: 28:34. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Pavelski, 2. Chudobin, 3. Radulov (all Dallas).
Arizona – Vegas 5:2 (1:0, 2:1, 2:1)
Goals: 4. Dvorak, 28. Brassard, 32. Schmaltz, 42. Garland, 60. Oesterle – 22. Theodore, 52. Glass. Shots on goal: 26:31. Attendance: 2,712. Match stars: 1. Garland, 2. Schmaltz, 3. Kuemper (all Arizona).
Anaheim – Colorado 2: 3 in overtime (0: 1, 1: 0, 1: 1 – 0: 1)
Goals: 21. H. Lindholm, 48. Henrique – 3. Donskoi, 47. Rantanen, 62. Landeskog. Shots on goal: 38:32. Played without spectators. Match stars: 1. Landeskog (Colorado), 2. H. Lindholm, 3. Gibson (both Anaheim).
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