Vanecek day-to-day after leaving Game 1 with lower-body injury

Washington Capitals netminder Vitek Vanecek is day-to-day with a lower-body injury he suffered early in Game 1 against the Boston Bruins, head coach Peter Laviolette said Sunday, according to The Washington Post's Samantha Pell.

Laviolette didn't elaborate on the nature or severity of the injury.

Vanecek was ruled out for the remainder of the contest Saturday after departing in the first period. Veteran puck-stopper Craig Anderson took over in net for the Capitals.

The injury 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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