Washington D.C. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - Washington scored three quick goals to open the game and never relinquished the lead as they would go on to beat the Sabres 6-2 Saturday night. Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson shined stopping 37 shots in the victory.
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The Capitals scored early and often in the first period with their first tally coming just 3:15 into the game as Jakob Chychrun pounced on a rebound in front off a shot from Alex Ovechkin. Then just 0:20 seconds later it was Dylan Strome making it a 2-0 game. Lindy Ruff would call a timeout to hopefully slow the Washington momentum, but the Capitals did not oblige as Connor McMichael scored to extend the lead to 3-0 just 5:52 into the game. Alex Lyon was pulled after the third goal and Colten Ellis entered the game.
Though down big early, the Sabres didn't go away. Rasmus Dahlin would get Buffalo on the board less than a minute after the third Capitals goal on a nice play cutting through the slot and snapping it top corner over Logan Thompson.
Later in the period, Beck Malenstyn grabbed a loose puck in front off a Dahlin point shot and cut the lead to 3-2.
Early in the second with the two teams skating 4 on 4, Washington made it a 4-2 game as Aliaksei Protas snapped it past Colten Ellis on a 2-on-1.
Buffalo had an opportunity with a 5-on-3 for 0:36 seconds as Ryan Leonard and Connor McMichael took back to back tripping penalties, but failed to convert on both the two man and one man advantage.
The Sabres power play struggles continued in the third after killing off a penalty to open the period, they'd have a chance with the man advantage again but failed to make it a one goal game again.
Washington came off the penalty kill and extended their lead to 5-2 moments later as Ryan Leonard cut to the slot and beat Ellis high on the blocker side.
The Buffalo power play got another chance with the man advantage midway through the third, and this time gave up a shorthanded goal as Connor McMichael fed the net and Tom Wilson put it home and cap off the 6-2 win.
The out of town scoreboard was not kind as both the Lightning and Canadiens won. Montreal jumps into second place in the Atlantic Division as they are tied with Buffalo at 100 points, with one less game played. While Tampa Bay goes two points up and have a game in hand on Buffalo.
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GAME RECAP
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 6:30 - Rasmus Dahlin (18) (Josh Norris, Alex Tuch), 12:15 - Beck Malenstyn (7) (Jordan Greenway, Rasmus Dahlin)
WSH: 3:15 - Jakob Chychrun (25) (Alex Ovechkin, Pierre-Luc Dubois), 3:35 - Dylan Strome (18) (Aliaksei Protas, Alex Ovechkin), 5:52 - Connor McMichael (11) (Jakob Chychrun, Pierre-Luc Dubois)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 6:06 - Aliaksei Protas (24) (Unassisted)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WSH: 6:26 - Ryan Leonard - (17) (Cole Hutson, Justin Sourdif), 8:55 - Tom Wilson (29)(SHG) (Connor McMichael)
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Blue Star Home Services Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Logan Thompson (WSH)
2.) Connor McMichael (WSH)
3.) Aliaksei Protas (WSH)
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What's next: The Sabres look to get back in the win column as they head home to host the Tampa Bay Lightning for a big Atlantic Division matchup on Monday night for a 7:00 p.m. ET puck drop. Catch all of the action on WGR Sports Radio 550 starting with the pregame at 6:00 p.m. ET with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.
Loss comes as Sabres clinch playoff berth Saturday
