The Buffalo Sabres last victory still remains Tuesday, Feb. 23 against the New Jersey Devils. For the 11th-straight game, the blue and gold came out on the short end of the stick as they got throttled on Monday night to the tune of a 6-0 final against the visiting Washington Capitals inside KeyBank Center.
The visitors opened the scoring late in the first period, when Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov took a wrist shot from the right-wing half wall that got in behind Carter Hutton.
Washington out-shot Buffalo 13-2 in those 20 minutes.
The Capitals made it a 2-0 contest in the early goings of the middle stanza, when TJ Oshie danced through the entire Sabres' defense before dishing off a pass to an unguarded Nicklas Backstrom who was parked on the left-goal post.
The goal was Backstrom's 11th of the season.
About three minutes later, Washington extended their lead to three when Richard Panik let loose a one-timer that found twine. It was the forward's third goal of the campaign.
Contextually, the Capitals' third goal of the night came at a time when the Sabres had three shots all game.
Washington kept pouring it on in the final minutes of the second, when the visitors broke up a Buffalo offensive-zone possession at the blue line. Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen blocked a shot, before sending forward Daniel Sprong off to the races on a breakaway. Sprong sniped top-corner on a helpless Hutton.
The Sabres' deficit reached five in the third period when a Justin Schultz point shot was re-directed in front of Hutton by Capitals' forward Garnet Hathaway.
Washington capped the scoring barrage at 6-0 when Alex Ovechkin scored his 717th-career goal, moving into a tie for sixth all-time with Boston Bruins legend Phil Esposito.
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 18:36 - Evgeny Kuznetsov (3) (Justin Schultz, Conor Sheary)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 2:41 - Nicklas Backstrom (11) (TJ Oshie, Nick Jensen); 5:59 - Richard Panik (3) (Dmitry Orlov); 15:07 - Daniel Sprong (6) (Nick Jensen)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 6:46 - Garnet Hathaway (4) (Justin Schultz, Carl Hagelin); 16:20 - Alexander Ovechkin (11) (Conor Sheary)
Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 16:43 - Rasmus Dahlin (Hooking - 2 min.)
WSH: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: 7:17 - Taylor Hall (Hooking - 2 min.)
WSH: 12:48 - Dmitry Orlov (Holding - 2 min.)
Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) TJ Oshie - WSH
2.) Justin Schultz - WSH
3.) Dmitry Orlov - WSH
What's Next:
The blue and gold head to northern New Jersey for a quick road date with the Devils tomorrow night, March 16. Puck drop inside the Prudential Center is set for 7 p.m. EST, and the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starts at 6 p.m. EST on the radio home of the Buffalo Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.