The Washington Capitals dominated the Buffalo Sabres in a 6-0 win. This game could’ve easily been a trap game against a struggling Sabres team, but the Caps were up to the challenge. Vitek Vanecek got his first career shutout, making 23 saves one month after he made his NHL debut in the same location. It was Washington’s fifth win in a row.
Evgeny Kuznetsov put the Caps up 1-0 on a shot from the boards outside of the right face off circle. It was Kuznetsov’s 400th career point and third goal of the season. Justin Schultz and Conor Sheary had the helpers and the goal came at 18:46.
1-0 was the score after 20 with the Caps dominating in shots 13-2.
The Caps would make it 2-0 as T.J. Oshie did a stick move toward the net before dishing off the puck to Nicklas Backstrom as he banged it in for his 11th goal of the season. Nick Jensen had the secondary assist and the goal came at 2:41.
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At 5:59 the Caps made it 3-0 when Dmitry Orlov set up Richard Panik for a shot up the middle for his third goal of the season. Then it was de ja vu for Daniel Sprong.
Sprong came down the ice and ripped in a shot just like he did last week, for his sixth goal of the season. Jensen had the assist. Caps fans have been clamoring for Sprong to get more playing time and his recent production helps his case that he should be playing more.
4-0 was the score after 40. The Caps led in shots 11-7 in the second period.
The Caps made it 5-0 at 6:46 in the third. Carl Hagelin fed Schultz. Schultz shot it from downtown and Garnet Hathaway was there to tip it in for his fourth goal of the season. We initially thought Schultz had the goal but it was later credited to Hathaway.
The scoring wouldn’t stop there. At 16:21, Sheary set up Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin shot it right up the middle for his 11th goal of the season. That ties Backstrom for the team lead in goals. It was also the 717th goal of his career, tying Phil Espositio for sixth place in the NHL’s all time scoring list.
6-0 would be the final. The Caps were outshot 14-6 in the third period but dominated overall outshooting the Sabres 30-23.
The Caps will be back in action tonight against the New York Islanders where the team will wear their reverse retro jerseys for the third time.