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Capitals get crushed by Sabres in our NHL 20 simulation

By Michael Marzzacco|
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates with teammates in front of Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals after scoring a goal during the first period at Verizon Center on December 5, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 05: Zemgus Girgensons #28 of the Buffalo Sabres celebrates with teammates in front of Matt Niskanen #2 of the Washington Capitals after scoring a goal during the first period at Verizon Center on December 5, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals in our virtual world just didn’t come to play in Buffalo.

At least the TV Washington Capitals games that are simulated on NBC Sports Washington keep on rolling. This game was a polar opposite of theirs.

The Caps were whistled for the first penalty of the game when Radko Gudas was called for tripping at 13:08. While on the power play attack, Kyle Okposo would put the Sabres in front at 14:59 with a goal right in front of the net off a quick feed from Victor Olofsson. Brandon Montour had the secondary assist.

Olofsson added to the lead at 16:24 to make it 2-0 Sabres which would be the score after 20. The Sabres led in shots 12-5 while the Caps outhit them 3-2.

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The Caps got in more penalty trouble in the second period at 4:38 when Nicklas Backstrom was whistled for tripping. Once again, the Sabres made them pay on the power play. Olofsson added his second goal of the game assisted by Okposo at 6:24.

At 11:46 Sam Reinhart added to their lead with Brandon Montour and Colin Miller providing the helpers. That goal came at even strength. The Caps were able to finally kill a penalty after Evgeny Kuznetsov was called for hooking at 16:02.

4-0 Sabres was the score after two periods. The Caps were outshot 35-9 while hits were even at four. The Sabres won 15 face-offs compared to the Capitals 11.

Reinhart added his second goal of the game at 6:23 and it was enough to pull Braden Holtby on a night he’d certainly want to forget.

Tom Wilson made sure this game wouldn’t end in a shutout with a blast from downtown for his 14th goal of the season. Backstrom and Gudas had the helpers.

The Caps got a late power play, finally their first of the game when former Capital Marcus Johansson was called for tripping. It just wasn’t their night as the Sabres won 5-1.

Let’s forget about that one and look at highlights from our pals at NBC Sports Washington in their own simulated game. This one went much better.

The Caps will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight on NBC Sports Washington in their simulation. Like them, we’ll have our own as well.

Can our virtual Caps bounce back? Check back tomorrow to find out and keep it locked on Stars and Sticks for more great Capitals content this upcoming month.

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