Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - The Buffalo Sabres were able to hold off the Washington Capitals in a 4-3 shootout victory on Monday night at KeyBank Center. Buffalo had three different leads in the win, and managed to snap a three-game losing skid in the process.
The Sabres were able to take advantage of a loose puck in the offensive zone for the game's first goal less than five minutes in.
JJ Peterka was originally credited with his 11th goal of the season after the puck found his stick around traffic in a good shooting position. However, the goal was later credited to Alex Tuch, as he got a piece of Peterka's shot to give Buffalo an early 1-0 lead.
The lead would be short lived, though, thanks to a Capitals power play chance. Tom Wilson tied the score less than two minutes later after Nicolas Aube-Kubel was called for high sticking.
Buffalo was credited with 10 shots on goal in the opening period, with Charlie Lindgren making nine saves for the Capitals in goal. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped five of the six Washington shots on goal in the opening 20 minutes.
Tuch notched his second goal of the night just over a minute into the second period. The forward created a turnover while playing at 4-on-4 hockey, collected the loose puck, and beat Lindgren on a breakaway.
The goal to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead was unassisted.
Washington was able to tie the game again at 2-2 later in the second period, and again, it was Wilson getting the goal that drew the Capitals even. Aliaksei Protas threw a puck on the Buffalo goal that Wilson was able to put home the rebound at the top of the Sabres' goal crease.
The Sabres' second power play chance of the game helped the team enjoy their third different lead. Rasmus Dahlin set up Tage Thompson for his 19th goal of the season with his patented one-timer from the off-wing.
Protas was able to record his second point of the night with a goal late in the third period to, once again, even the affair. His 18th goal of the season tied the score at 3-3.
John Carlson also added his second assist of the night on the game-tying score.
The Sabres were credited with just four shots on goal in the third period, and recorded 22 through regulation. Washington was able to throw 25 shots on Luukkonen in goal for Buffalo.
Neither team could score in the overtime period, despite chances at both ends of the ice.
Jason Zucker had a partial breakaway chance in the extra frame, but was stopped by Lindgren.
The Sabres outshot Washington, 5-3, in the overtime period.
In the shootout, Capitals forward Pierre-Luc Dubois started things off with a goal after Thompson was unsuccessful with his attempt in Round 1.
However, Buffalo was able to secure the extra point in the end, with Tuch helping Buffalo stay alive in Round 3 and Peterka giving Buffalo the advantage in Round 4.
Luukkonen then closed out the win with a save in the bottom of the fourth round on defenseman Jakob Chychrun.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 4:42 - Alex Tuch (13) (JJ Peterka)
WSH: 6:10 - Tom Wilson (17) PPG (Jakob Chychrun, Dylan Strome)
Second Period:
BUF: 1:07 - Alex Tuch (14) (Unassisted); 12:49 - Tage Thompson (19) PPG (Rasmus Dahlin, JJ Peterka)
WSH: 11:29 - Tom Wilson (18) (Aliaksei Protas, John Carlson)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 15:47 - Aliaksei Protas (18) (John Carlson, Pierre-Luc Dubois)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
WSH: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - Save
WSH: Pierre-Luc Dubois - GOAL
BUF: Jack Quinn - Save
WSH: Dylan Strome - Save
BUF: Alex Tuch - GOAL
WSH: John Carlson - Save
BUF: JJ Peterka - GOAL
WSH: Jakob Chychrun - Save
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Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Alex Tuch - BUF
2.) JJ Peterka - BUF
3.) Tage Thompson - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres will be back on the road on Thursday night to face the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550. The Steve Foley Law Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog begins at 6 p.m. EST.