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 at 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 the opening 20 minutes.
The Capitals made it a 2-0 contest in the early goings of the middle stanza when T.J. 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 3-0 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 fired his shot to the top corner of the net on a helpless Hutton.
The Sabres' deficit reached 5-0 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 him into a tie for sixth all-time with Boston Bruins legend Phil Esposito.
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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)
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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.)
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Losi and Gangi Three Stars of the Game:
1.) TJ Oshie - WSH
2.) Justin Schultz - WSH
3.) Dmitry Orlov - WSH
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What's Next:
The blue and gold head to northern New Jersey for a quick road date with the Devils on Tuesday night. Puck drop at the Prudential Center is set for 7 p.m. ET with the Paul William Beltz Pregame Show with Mike Schopp and the Bulldog starting at 6 p.m. ET on the radio home of the Sabres - WGR Sports Radio 550.