I think the Capitals’ battle in net will be one of the biggest storylines this season. Before Lundqvist entered the picture, the organization was comfortable moving forward with Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek as its No. Do I think Lundqvist can come into camp and steal that Game 1 start away? Samsonov and Vanecek have played as a goaltending duo before, making up their own tandem during the 2018-19 season with the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate in Hershey, Pa. Nicklas Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, John Carlson, Lars Eller and Samsonov didn’t leave the D.C. area this offseason.

Source: Washington Post December 17, 2020 14:30 UTC