Capitals Report Card: Caps Crush Sabres to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
The Washington Capitals (39-29-9) keep their playoff hopes alive for now. They put up a whopping six goals against the […]
Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Washington Capitals (39-29-9) keep their playoff hopes alive for now. They put up a whopping six goals against the red-hot Buffalo Sabres (46-23-8) for a 6-2 home victory on Saturday. Buffalo had entered the game having already clinched its first playoff berth since 2011.
However, the Capitals didn’t seem so phased by the news. Washington quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead with goals from Jakob Chychrun, Dylan Strome, and Connor McMichael. However, Buffalo then cut the deficit to 3-2 before the first intermission.
Nevertheless, the Capitals kept the momentum in their favor with tallies from Aliaksei Protas, Ryan Leonard, and Tom Wilson. Wilson’s goal came shorthanded on a highlight-reel play. McMichael and Protas each finished with a goal and an assist.
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin and Pierre-Luc Dubois also contributed with a pair of assists each. Logan Thompson made his 10th consecutive start in net and made a huge impression. He stopped 37 of 39 shots against the playoff-contending Sabres.