The Buffalo Sabres had several scoring chances in all three periods against the Washington Capitals, but suffered a 2-1 defeat on Friday night at KeyBank Center. Buffalo dropped both games of the two-game series to open the 2020-21 season.
The Sabres enjoyed three power play opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, but failed to capitalize on any of their chances. Buffalo outshot the Capitals, 11-6, in the first stanza, giving Linus Ullmark a chance to get back into game action between the pipes with relative ease.
Jakub Vrana broke the scoreless tie with his second goal in as many games for Washington just 1:34 into the second period. Vrana managed to gain a step on the Buffalo defenders entering the offensive zone, and he was able to fire his shot over the glove hand of Ullmark.
Capitals winger Tom Wilson received the lone assist on the game's first goal. It came just moments after Sabres forward Sam Reinhart left the ice in pain and went to the dressing room.
Reinhart returned to the ice soon after the play and did not miss much game action. He would eventually join Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall on the Sabres' top line late in the second period.
Once again, Buffalo outshot the visitors with a 15-7 advantage in the period, and 26-13 overall in the game through 40 minutes. However, Buffalo failed to find the back of the net.
Buffalo's top line scored less than a minute into the third period to tie the score at 1-1 with the Capitals. Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen notched his first goal of the season as his wrist shot from the point went off the leg of Wilson in front of the net and in.
The Sabres scored early in the third period on Thursday night as well, but the team managed to avoid a Washington response moments later on Friday.
However, it was Wilson who took advantage of a Colin Miller turnover in the defensive zone to give the Capitals a 2-1 lead partway through the third period. After Miller lost an edge going after the puck, he skated back into position to try and block Wilson's shot. But instead, he may have screened Ullmark from seeing the shot the entire way as it beat the Buffalo goalie to the top-left corner of the net.
The blue and gold had a fifth power play chance late in the third period thanks to a Zdeno Chara holding minor penalty, but Buffalo was unable to score. Buffalo went 0-for-5 overall on the man advantage for the night, while also registering seven shots on goal.
The Capitals did not have a power play chance in the game, scoring both of their goals at even strength.
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GAME SUMMARY
Goal Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: NONE
Second Period;
BUF: NONE
WAS: 1:34 - Jakub Vrana (2) (Tom Wilson)
Third Period:
BUF: 0:31 - Rasmus Ristolainen (Taylor Hall, Jack Eichel)
WAS: 7:47 - Tom Wilson (Nicklas Backstrom)
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 5:57 - Brendan Dillon (Hooking - 2 min.); 10:23 - Conor Sheary (Tripping - 2 min.); 16:35 - Evgeny Kuznetsov (Holding - 2 min.)
Second Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 12:23 - John Carlson (Slashing - 2 min.)
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 15:47 - Zdeno Chara (Holding - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game
1.) Jakub Vrana - WSH
2.) Lars Eller - WSH
3.) Rasmus Ristolainen - BUF
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What's Next:
The Sabres will go on their first road trip of the 2020-21 season, starting with a two-game series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, Jan. 18 at Well Fargo Center. Faceoff on Monday is set for 7:30 p.m. EST and will be telecast on NBCSN. The only place to catch all the local play-by-play action will be on WGR Sports Radio 550.