In the world of fantasy hockey, goaltending can be a tricky position to navigate. With the recent emergence of Ilya Samsonov as the Washington Capitals’ starting goalie, many fantasy owners are wondering what this means for the future of Vitek Vanecek, who has been filling in admirably in the absence of injured netminder Henrik Lundqvist.

Vanecek has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners this season, posting solid numbers and helping the Capitals stay competitive in the tough East Division. However, with Lundqvist expected to return at some point this season, there are concerns that Vanecek could be relegated to backup duties once again.

Enter Zach Woll, the young goaltender who has been waiting in the wings for his chance to shine. Woll has shown flashes of brilliance in the AHL and could be a viable option for the Capitals if they decide to give him a shot in the NHL.

So, what does this mean for fantasy owners? Well, it’s hard to say for sure. If Woll gets the call and performs well, he could potentially push Samsonov for playing time and relegate Vanecek to backup duties. On the other hand, if Woll struggles or is unable to make an impact at the NHL level, Vanecek could retain his spot as the primary backup.

Ultimately, fantasy owners will need to keep a close eye on the situation in Washington and be prepared to make adjustments to their rosters accordingly. While Woll may have the potential to shake up the goaltending hierarchy in Washington, there are no guarantees in fantasy hockey. It’s always best to have a backup plan in place and be ready to adapt to any changes that may come your way.