Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Buffalo Sabres' winning streak came to an end Thursday night, as they fell in a tight battle to the Washington Capitals, 2-1, at KeyBank Center.
Capitals defenseman Jakob Chyrchrun netted the game-winner in the final moments, while goalie Charlie Lindgren stopped 29 shots in the victory.
It was the fourth line that got the Sabres on the board early, as Beck Malenstyn fed Sam Carrick on a beautiful backhand feed to the net.
Washington evened things up just 2:14 into the second period, as forward Ryan Leonard jumped on a loose puck at the Capitals' blue line and went in to score on a wrister past the blocker of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Both teams would get a chance on the power play later in the second period, but neither team could break the tie, as the Sabres and Capitals headed to the third period even at 1-1.
The score remained the same until late in the third period when Chychrun scored with just 1:33 remaining to give Washington the 2-1 lead.
The Sabres pulled Luukkonen shortly after the goal, but could not get one past Lindgren in the final moments to force overtime.
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SCORING RECAP
First Period:
BUF: 6:02 - Sam Carrick (6) (Beck Malenstyn, Owen Power)
WSH: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 2:14 - Ryan Leonard (14) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 18:27 - Jakob Chychrun (23) (Aliaksei Protas, Trevor van Riemsdyk)
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BlueStar Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Jacob Chychrun - WSH
2.) Ryan Leonard - WSH
3.) Sam Carrick - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres finish up their homestand on Saturday as they welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs to KeyBank Center. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. on WGR Sports Radio 550, with pregame coverage starting at 6 p.m. with Brian Koziol.