The Buffalo Sabres could not hold onto a one-goal lead in the third period and were unable to secure a victory during their three-game homestand following a 3-2 shootout loss to the Washington Captials on Saturday night at KeyBank Center.
Less thank four minutes into the game the Capitals convert on a two-on-once scoring chance to open up a 1-0 lead over Buffalo. Conor Sheary feathered a saucer pass over a sprawled out Sabres defender, and Lars Eller did not miss the open net. Sheary and T.J. Oshie were credited with the assists on the goal.
Vinnie Hinostroza tied the score at 1-1 with just over six minutes remaining in the opening period when he was able to capitalize on a breakaway chance. Robert Hagg made the pass that sprang the forward for the opportunity, and was given an assist along with Jacob Bryson.
The Sabres finished the first period with a 13-10 shot advantage over Washington. Neither team had a power play opportunity in the opening twenty minutes.
Buffalo's first lead of the night is courtesy of Will Butcher. The defenseman stepped up into the offensive end and received a Rasmus Asplund pass in the slot. The defenseman stepped in front of Dylan Cozens for his first goal of the year. Asplund and Kyle Okposo assisted on the goal that made it 2-1 Sabres.
The first penalty of the night was charged to Zemgus Girgensons late in the second period. The veteran forward was called for hooking, with the team leading the Capitals by a goal. Buffalo was able to fill off the shorthanded opportunity to remain in front 2-1.
Alex Ovechkin helps create a chance early in the third period that leads to the game-tying goal for the Capitals. The forward made a pass to Martin Fehervary that he was able to one-time into the net to even the score at 2-2. The goal was Fehervary's third of the season, Ovechkin and Evgeny Kuznetsov were given the assists on the goal.
Buffalo was able to hold off the Capitals over the final minutes of the third to force overtime. The visitors recorded 17 shots on goal in the third, but could only get one goal past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
Neither team was able to score during the three-on-three overtime, sending the game to a shootout. Dmitry Orlov was called for a late slashing penalty in overtime. The Sabres failed to score on the abbreviated chance.
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GAME RECAP:
Scoring Summary:
First Period:
BUF: 13:48 - Vinnie Hinostroza (5) (Robert Hagg, Jacob Bryson)
WAS: 3:40 - Lars Eller (4) (Conor Sheary, T.J. Oshie)
Second Period:
BUF: 2:09 - Will Butcher (1) (Rasmus Asplund, Kyle Okposo)
WAS: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: 5:41 - Martin Fehervary (3) (Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov)
Overtime:
BUF: NONE
WAS: NONE
Shootout:
BUF: Tage Thompson - no goal
WAS: Daniel Sprong - GOAL
BUF: Dylan Cozens - no goal
WAS: Evgeny Kuznetsov - no goal
BUF: Victor Olofsson - GOAL
WAS: T.J. Oshie - GOAL
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Penalty Summary:
First Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: NONE
Second Period:
BUF: 14:13 - Zemgus Girgensons (Hooking - 2 min.); 18:16 - Kyle Okposo (High sticking - 4 min.)
WAS: NONE
Third Period:
BUF: NONE
WAS: NONE
Overtime
BUF: NONE
WAS: 4:36 - Dmitry Orlov (Slashing - 2 min.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) Ukko-Pekka Lukkonen - BUF
2.) Vitek Vanacek - WSH
3.) Vinnie Hinostroza - BUF
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What's next:
The Sabres next head out on the road to face the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. Faceoff is set for 8 p.m. EST at the Canada Life Centre with pregame coverage starting at 7 p.m. EST with Brian Koziol.
