Both teams battled with back and forth scoring, but Buffalo came out on top
Score: Capitals 3 | Sabres 4
Shots: WSH 28 | BUF 27
Buffalo Sabres Goals: JJ Peterka (11), Alex Tuch (13), Tage Thompson (19-PP)
Buffalo Sabres Shootout Goals: Alex Tuch, JJ Peterka
Washington Capitals Goals: Tom Wilson (17th-PP, 18), Aliaksei Protas (18)
Washington Capitals Shootout Goals: Pierre-Luc Dubois
Plus-1: Sabres Strike First/Peterka Looks Sharp
The Sabres drew the first penalty of the game in the opening minute of play and the home team had a few good chances – specifically courtesy of JJ Peterka on the high left side of Caps goaltender Charlie Lindgren. Though he did not score with the man-advantage, Peterka was able to capitalize on a great chance later on, which was created by Alex Tuch, who “dipsy-doodled” (as the late great Rick Jeanneret would say) a quick pass to his linemate. Peterka’s goal tonight marks his 111th point in 200 games. In the first period alone, he had four shots and all four hit the net in some way.
Washington answered back just a few minutes later, though, after Nicolas Aube-Kubel was charged with a high-sticking penalty. Capitals winger Tom Wilson buried his eighth power play goal of the season, the most on his team.
Plus-2: Tuchy!
Another early-in-the-period goal by Buffalo, Tuch forced a Washington turnover in the neutral zone to give the Sabres a 2-1 edge during a four-on-four carried over from the first period. It was a beautiful wrister as Tuch continues to shine this season:
Minus-1: Wilson the Pest
History repeated itself in the second period as Wilson answered Buffalo’s goal by scoring another one of his own for his club, tying up the game yet again. Mattias Samuelsson attempted to clear the puck, but the Capitals maintained control of it in the Sabres’ zone. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had the initial save, but Wilson snagged both the rebound and his second goal of the game.
Plus-3: TNT, He’s Dynamite
On the power play again, the Sabres were able to capitalize this time with a stunner: Tage Thompson’s one-timer – a 103 mph(!) shot – from the right side of Lindgren gave the Sabres their third lead of the game heading into the second intermission. It was textbook TNT and Rasmus Dahlin deserves a shout out, too, for providing the perfect pass. Thompson had 10 shots on goal in the last three games, but none had gone into the net until tonight.
Unfortunately, the Sabres third lead of the game would not last as the Caps scored another goal late in the third period to tie it up, deflected off of Owen Power’s glove. This would seal the final period in regulation and eventually bring the game into both overtime and a shootout. However, the good news is that thanks to Tuch’s and Peterka’s shootout goals, the Sabres would come out with the win. Luukkonen should also be recognized for having a solid game and an even better shootout.
Three Stars:
1. Alex Tuch (1G, +2)
2. JJ Peterka (1G, 1A)
3. Tage Thompson (1G, 23:48 TOI)