Jakub Vrana got into his second game with the Washington Capitals this preseason against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. Before puck drop, the Czech forward, at Washington’s Training Camp on a tryout agreement, was challenged by head coach Spencer Carbery to show him “something significant.”
Vrana did just that, standing out as one of the Capitals’ top skaters in their 5-3 victory. Carbery admitted postgame that V had a “very strong game.”
The 28-year-old winger found the scoresheet with an assist on John Carlson’s second-period strike. Washington was also at its best five-on-five with Vrana on the ice, seeing positive differentials in shot attempts (+12) and scoring chances (+8) during his 14:24 of ice time.
The little things, though, like Jakub’s play along the walls and his possession in the offensive zone, impressed Carbery the most.
“It wasn’t necessarily just the compete and us coming up with way more loose pucks, way more forecheck pressure, creating more turnovers – I think we were way more connected with what we’re trying to do,” Carbery said. “Guys [were] in the right spot, spacing was good in the offensive zone. Our routes were good through the neutral zone of, not just getting stalled through there. So it’s hard. There’s a lot of guys that played well tonight… Vrana, I thought, was strong, had some good looks as well.”
While Vrana didn’t match the same shot volume he had in his first game, a team-leading six shots, he was still pleased with his effort.
“Honestly, I did feel good in both games,” Vrana said. “First game just didn’t go our way. It’s hockey, it’s sport. Sometimes, things are not going to go your way. Yesterday, I felt like not just our line but the whole team we been really strong on making plays, and I think systematically, it was a strong game, too. It’s good to get the W, but now we move on.”
The Capitals have just a couple of roster spots up for grabs at this year’s camp, and Vrana is battling wingers like Ivan Miroshnichenko, Ethen Frank, and Pierrick Dubé, who already have contracts for the upcoming season.
Carbery previously mentioned his belief that none of the four candidates had separated themselves from the others, but that may have changed after Vrana’s efforts on Wednesday.
“I have positive feelings,” Vrana said. “Of course, there is always things you can improve, right, as a player? So far, it’s been intense, nothing I didn’t expect. Intense camp, of course. I go day by day, just trying to get the best out of every day, and that’s how it’s been going.
“I’m here to show that I can play and that I’m out there and want the spot. I don’t try to overthink it too much. Obviously, pressure is there but we as players are used to that pressure. I go to every game and every practice with just, ‘Do your best, and let’s see where it takes you.'”
The Capitals have three preseason games remaining for Vrana to take another step toward a completed comeback in Washington. The club will play the Columbus Blue Jackets at home on Friday night and then travel to Columbus on Monday, two games with massive roster implications for players.
“Yeah, [Friday is an important game], and we head to Columbus, and we’ll spend a few days there,” Carbery said. “So, it is a big game. It’ll be a mixed group. It won’t just be the group from Boston, it’ll be a more mixed group.”
