The Buffalo Sabres scored all three of their goals in regulation on the power play to help the team defeat the Washington Capitals 4-3 in a shootout on Sunday afternoon at Capital One Arena.
Washington struck first part way through the opening period, thanks to defenseman Justin Schultz. The Capitals benefited from a turnover in the offensive zone to grab a 1-0 lead over Buffalo.
The Sabres outshot Washington in the first period 16-9, but failed to beat Vitek Vanacek. Connor McMichael was called for the game's lone penalty in the opening stanza as well. Buffalo recorded two of their 16 first perios shots on goal while on the man advantage.
Buffalo was able to take advantage of their second power play of the game to even the score at 1-1 halfway through the middle frame. Colin Miller's shot from the point made its way through traffic to beat Vanacek for his first goal of the season. Rasmus Ristolainen and Casey Mittelstadt assisted on the power play marker.
The point for Mittelstadt comes in his first game with the Sabres this season. Zdeno Chara was in the penalty box after tripping Taylor Hall.
Washington re-took the lead nearly two minutes later on their own power play chance as T.J. Oshie re-directed a point shot from Schultz to take the 2-1 lead.
The third power play goal of the period allowed Buffalo to re-tie the game at 2-2. Smooth passing by Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart set up a one-time opportunity for Victor Olofsson. The second-year NHL forward collected his third goal of the season.
The third power play goal for Buffalo gave the team their first lead of the game, 3-2. Eric Staal notched his second goal with the blue and gold in as many games to give the Sabres the lead. Ristolainen and Miller assisted on the go-ahead goal while Nic Dowd was in the penalty box.
Nicklas Backstrom took advantage of a fortuitous bounce in the offensive zone to tie the game at 3-3 midway through the third. The forward banked the puck off of Ullmark after the Sabres goaltender missed the puck at the side of the net. Washington's goal was scored while Branton Montour was in the penalty box for interference.
Taylor Hall had a chance to give Buffalo the lead again thanks to a penalty shot opportunity. Hall was held by Schultz, but his attempt hit the post after beating Vanecek with the shot.
Both teams had opportunities in overtime, but goaltending kept the puck out of the net and sent the game to a shootout for the second straight game. Eichel scored the only goal in the shootout, and Ullmark made three saves to secure the victory.
GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 6:58 - Justin Schultz (1) (Unassisted)
Second Period:
BUF: 10:07 - Colin Miller (1) PPG (Rasmus Ristolainen, Casey Mittelstadt); 13:04 - Victor Olofsson (3) PPG (Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel)
WAS: 11:51 - T.J. Oshie (2) PPG (Justin Schultz, Nicklas Backstrom)
Third Period
BUF: 7:24 - Eric Staal (2) PPG (Rasmus Ristolainen, Colin Miller)
WAS: 9:28 - Nicklas Backstrom (4) PPG (Jakub Vrana, John Carlson)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
WSH: NONE
Shootout:
WSH: John Carlson - Save
BUF: Jack Eichel - GOAL
WSH: T.J. Oshie - Save
BUF: Casey Mittelstadt - Save
WSH: Nicklas Backstrom - Save
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 15:21 - Connor McMichael (Hooking - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: 10:45 - Rasmus Ristolainen (Tripping - 2 min.)
WAS: 8:20 - Zdeno Chara (Tripping - 2 min.); 12:07 - Nic Dowd (Tripping - 2 min.); 15:46 - Jonas Siegenthaler (Tripping - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: 7:50 - Brandon Montour (Interference - 2 min.)
WAS: 6:03 - Nic Dowd (Cross-checking - 2 min.); 10:33 - Justin Schultz (Holding the stick - 2 min.)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
WSH: NONE
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What's next
The Sabres return to home ice on Tuesday to begin a four-game homestand at KeyBank Center. Buffalo will welcome the New York Rangers for the first of two games against the Blueshirts this week. The puck drops at 7 p.m. EST on the flagship home of the Sabres Radio Network - WGR Sports Radio 550, with pregame coverage getting under way at 6 p.m. EST with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog.