The Buffalo Sabres' winless streak reached its fifth game on Monday night, as the blue and gold were defeated by the Washington Capitals by a final score of 5-3 at Capital One Arena.
The home side struck first, and did so in the opening period of play. The game was just 2:13 old when an oft-deflected puck last bounded off the stick of Capitals winger Tom Wilson and in-behind goalie Dustin Tokarski. It was Wilson's second goal of the season.
The Sabres' deficit reached two in the early goings of the middle stanza. Another early-period goal-against did Buffalo in, as this time, it was young forward Connor McMichael potting his second goal of the 2021-22 campaign.
The blue and gold had a response just over a minute later, when veteran Cody Eakin got the Sabres on the scoreboard. Eakin picked up a loose puck that had been lost by Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin in the midst of a defensive zone breakout, and deposited it in-behind goalie, and noted Sabres-killer, Vitek Vanecek.
The aforementioned Ovechkin made good on his own-zone blunder later in the second period, though. His 11th goal of the year, and 741st of his illustrious career, helped Washington re-claim a two-goal edge at 3-1.
The goal also tied Ovechkin with Brett Hull for fourth-all time in goal-scoring in NHL history.
Buffalo clawed back to within one in the third period when Anders Bjork pounced on a loose puck after two or three attempts during a net-front scramble. It was his second goal of the season.
For a second time in the game, the Sabres were able to slash a two-goal deficit in half. However, the Capitals pulled away three minutes later to a two-goal edge for the third time on the night. Wilson doubled up and netted his second goal of the contest for Washington to make the score 4-2.
From there, the Capitals and Sabres traded one more goal each. Washington defenseman John Carlson wristed a power play goal through traffic, then fellow blue-liner Colin Miller brought the game to its final score of 5-3 late in the contest.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 2:13 - Tom Wilson (2) (Alex Ovechkin, Trevor van Riemsdyk)
Second Period:
BUF: 3:43 - Cody Eakin (2) (Unassisted)
WSH: 2:30 - Connor McMichael (2) (Justin Schultz, Carl Hagelin); Alex Ovechkin (11) (Dmitry Orlov, Evgeny Kuznetsov)
Third Period:
BUF: 3:17 - Anders Bjork (2) (Arttu Ruotsalainen, Robert Hagg); 18:56 - Colin Miller (1) (Mark Pysyk, Vinnie Hinostroza)
WSH: 6:45 - Tom Wilson (3) (Evgeny Kuznetsov); 17:47 - John Carlson (3) PPG (Evgeny Kuznetsov, Alex Ovechkin)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 3:44 - Tage Thompson (Holding - 2 min.)
WSH: 10:07 - Carl Hagelin (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 14:49 - Carl Hagelin (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 9:45 - Cody Eakin (Delay of Game - 2 min.); 16:31 - Zemgus Girgensons (Slashing - 2 min.)
WSH: 14:40 - Dmitry Orlov (Interference - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Tom Wilson - WSH
2.) Alexander Ovechkin - WSH
3.) Connor McMichael - WSH
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What's Next:
The Sabres are out of game action until Friday night when the Edmonton Oilers come to town for a start-of-the-weekend battle. Puck drop at KeyBank Center is set for 7 p.m. EST with pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. EST with the Bulldog on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.
