Tonight was another rough game for the Buffalo Sabres. Things started off poorly against the Washington Capitals right on the first shift of the game.
Evgeny Kuznetsov blew past Jason Pominville and caught Robin Lehner flatfooted to give the Capitals the leads just 50 seconds into the game. The Sabres were lucky to get out of the period down only a goal. They managed to take a 9-8 lead in shots into the first intermission.
The Sabres defense was victimized again in the second period. This time by Andre Burakovsky. He had a beautiful goal going coast to coast and undressed Rasmus Ristolainen before beating Lehner five-hole to make it 2-0.
After a rough first two periods, the Sabres looked to get themselves back in the game early in the third period. Sam Reinhart got his club on board just 14 seconds into the period.
That’s where the good part ended for the Sabres.
The Capitals would add three goals in the period. Including two off the stick of Alex Ovechkin. It was a rough night all around for the Sabres. Just another bad performance to add to the pile.
Final Score: Capitals 5, Sabres 1
Shots on Goal: Capitals 36 | Sabres 29
Sabres Goal Scorers: Reinhart (14)
Capitals Goal Scorers: Kuznetsov (17), Burakovsky (8), Ovechkin (37, 38) and Eller (14)
Three Stars of the Game
1. Evgeny Kuznetsov (1 G, 3 A)
2. Alex Ovechkin (2 G)
3. Philipp Grubauer (28 saves on 29 shots)
Comment of the Game
Could Grubauer be our 1A/1B goalie next season?
Or is Lehner making his return?