"If you have a bad game," Vrana says, "you have to forget it right away. Maybe you think about it a bit, but you have to find a way to build back your confidence and the best way to do that is to turn the page."
While Vrana concedes that he can still improve his puck management and cut down on the turnovers, he's arguably been among the club's most consistent forwards over the first third of the season.
"I've liked his overall game," says head coach Todd Reirden, who primarily played Vrana with Backstrom and Oshie to start the season.
"I don't have any troubles at all having him out there against other teams' top players, playing with Nick and T.J., who are really defensively responsible. They've done a great job of mentoring and helping him with the overall importance of the all-around game."
As Vrana continues to better handle his defensive responsibilities, the offensive game hasn't suffered. With two goals Tuesday in Las Vegas, Vrana is up to 8 goals and 16 points through 27 games. All but one of his 16 points have come at even-strength. Vrana's eight even-strength goals are second most on the Capitals, behind only Alex Ovechkin.
"He brings a lot of speed to the table and he can challenge the opponents' D men," says Backstrom. "In just one year, I've seen a lot of development. He can score and he can make things happen."
Adds Boyd: "He's so fast and so skilled. He'll have some rushes up the ice and it's like, 'Dang! That was sick.' When he gets going, and it doesn't take much for him to get going, he can do some super-elite things… He's going to be a really good player for the Capitals for a long time."
While Vrana, Stephenson and Djoos have been able to build off their rookie campaigns, Bowey, Boyd and Copley all had to exercise patience before taking advantage of their opportunities this season.