The Buffalo Sabres entered Washington this evening, looking to snap their three-game losing streak at hands of the Wild Card-leading Capitals.
Unfortunately, things would not go according to plan for the Buffalo Sabres.
Things started off quick for Buffalo, thanks to a defensive miscue by the Capitals. Johan Larsson found himself left all alone, in front of Braden Holtby.
Larsson received the puck from Foligno, and put it home fairly quickly. Larsson’s 2nd goal of the season, at 2:34, put Buffalo up 1-0.
As per usual though, good things did not last long for the Sabres.
Less than three minutes later, the Capitals would get the equalizer.
Deadline-acquisition Curtis Glencross would pot his 11th of the season, at 5:15, to tie this matchup at one.
After 20 minutes at the Verizon Center in Washington, things were knotted up at one.
As the second period began, the Capitals began to take over control of this game. The Capitals were able to over power the Sabres, and take control of the overall offensive tone.
Just 5:27 into the period, Jay Beagle would further the Capitals’ overpowering of the Sabres. Beagle scored his 10th goal of the season, putting Washington up 2-1.
Less than four minutes later, Alexander Ovechkin would be left alone on the power play, in one of his famous goal scoring spots – the slot. Ovechkin would put a no-doubter passed Hackett, for his 44th of the season. The score was now 3-1 Washington.
The Capitals would not take their foot off the gas pedal.
At 13:53, Brooks Laich would join the scoring party. Laich’s 6th goal of the season would increase Washington’s lead to 4-1.
Ted Nolan would pull Matt Hackett, in any hope of salvaging this game. Unfortunately, it would not be the answer for Buffalo.
Anders Lindback would hold strong, stopping a handful of shots to stop the second. Just a few shots into the third period, he would crack.
Joel Ward trailed the Capitals play to the net. Lindback found himself out position on a bad rebound, and Ward put home a goal on an almost empty net.
Ward’s 16th goal of the season, on the power play, would put Washington up 5-1.
Late in the game, a defensive breakdown would allow Marcus Johansson to score his 17th goal of the season. This would give Washington a 6-1 lead.
That enormous lead would go onto be the final tally in this game. Washington, clearly the better team on the ice, absolutely over-powered and out-matched this Buffalo Sabres squad.
Of note, Andrej Meszaros left the game in the first, after taking a shot puck to the head. Meszaros did not return, with was termed as an upper-body injury. Zach Bogosian left the game late, with what was termed a lower-body injury. He did not return.
With the 6-1 loss, Buffalo falls to 19-42-5 with 43 points in 66 games.
The Buffalo Sabres next take the ice in Toronto on March 11, to take on the skidding Maple Leafs.