Vanecek landed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Monday.
Vanecek's placement in the protocols would explain the Caps' decision to recall Pheonix Copley from the minors Monday. The 25-year-old Vanecek started three of the team's previous four contests in which he went 2-1-0 with a 2.30 GAA but should probably expect to concede some starts to Ilya Samsonov even once cleared to return.