Capitals drop preseason opener to Sabres in shootout
Yesterday wasn’t a good day for DC sports fans but a great day for Buffalo sports fans. But unlike the football game, at least the preseason hockey game between the Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres was competitive.
The Caps had the lead early. The Sabres took the lead in the third period. A late goal forced overtime and the shootout went in favor of the Sabres.
At 14:52 in the first period a wrist shot from Nicolas Aube Kubel put the Caps up 1-0. It was assisted by Riley Sutter and Lucas Johansen. 1-0 was the score after one and shots were 10-5 in favor of Buffalo.
In the second period at 13:02 Ryan Hofer cleaned up a rebound with a backhand shot into the net to make it 2-0 Caps. Henrik Rybinksi and Trevor van Riemsdyk had the assists.
At 15:58 JJ Peterka put the Sabres on the board. 2-1 was the score after two with the Caps having the edge in shots 16-11.
Peyton Krebs tied it at 1:19 of the third period while Zach Benson gave the Sabres the lead at 8:59 on a tip in.
The Caps would tie it at 13:31. Dylan Strome dished the puck to Anthony Mantha while Mantha set up Sonny Milano on a nice give and go snapshot.
The Caps outshot the Sabres 8-5 in the third period. The game would require overtime. Nobody scored in the three on three as the Caps outshot the Sabres 3-1. Total shots on goal were 32-27 in favor of the Capitals as the game would go to a shootout.
Milano got things started with a goal but Buffalo would win it with goals from Peterka and Brandon Biro.
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The Capitals will be in preseason action once again on Thursday September 28 as they’ll host the Detroit Red Wings. Overall even though the Capitals lost I thought Mantha and Milano looked good.