Why Tom Wilson Still Considers Vitek Vanecek's NHL Stats Perfect

Why Wilson still considers Vanecek's NHL stats perfect originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

Capitals goalie Vitek Vanecek's NHL debut on Friday was almost perfect. The young netminder saved 30 of the 31 shots he faced and led the team to the 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. He allowed just one goal, but Tom Wilson still considers him perfect.

Rasmus Ristolainen recorded the lone tally for the Sabres on a shot that changed direction in front of Vanecek and made its way into the back of the net. Wilson was engaged in front of the net and it appeared that the puck hit off of him and in.

Wilson confirmed this after the game and added he felt this meant Vanecek was still perfect against the opposition.

"[The puck] hit my calf and went in," Wilson said. "So I think Vitek actually hasn’t had another team score on him yet, so we’ll keep it going. He played a great game. It was kind of unfortunate that bounce went in on him.”

Of course, in hockey, it does not work this way and the goal will remain credited to Ristolainen. But it does reflect just how good of a game Vanecek had. The Sabres were not able to beat him cleanly and the lone goal came off a Caps' deflection. That's a heck of a debut for the young netminder.

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