For the third and final time this season, the Buffalo Sabres played the Washington Capitals, and for the third and (thankfully) final time, they were defeated.
The Sabres special teams really failed them in last night’s 4-1 loss to the Caps, with both the power play and penalty kill failing to take advantage of key situations that could have turned the game around.
Buffalo’s PK continues to be the Achilles Heel of the team, giving up two goals on three chances to Washington, one in the second and a dagger in the third. The Sabres went into the final frame down 2-0, but got back into the game thanks to a Kyle Okposo power play goal.
But just when things were looking up, the Caps struck again, with John Carlson scoring on the power play just two minutes later. Washington would add an empty netter to finish the game with a 4-1 win.
The Sabres power play, while they did score, squandered two earlier chances in the third period that would have given the team a fighting chance to come back. “Our power play had opportunities to get us back in the game and wasn’t able to do that.”, said coach Dan Bylsma after the game. Instead, they gave their one goal right back to Washington and couldn’t really muster much of anything in the final few minutes to recapture the magic they showed in their last game.
1. How will the Sabres defensemen perform with the return of Kulikov and Gorges?
Not great. Rasmus Ristolainen earned his 16th assist of the season on Okposo’s goal, but Gorges, Franson, and even Kulikov were caught out of position on various Washington goals. Franson and Kulikov were both -2 on the night.
2. Will the Sabres beat the Caps this season?