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Capitals vs. Sabres Recap: Grubauer’s Great in Washington Win

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Philipp Grubauer’s 28 save performance propels Washington to the 5 to 1 win.

By Geoff Thompson
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NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Washington Capitals Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

The Buffalo Sabres came into Washington, DC this weekend to faceoff against the Capitals at Capital One Arena. A Sabres club holding out talent for the trade deadline was no match, though, as the Capitals cruised to a 5 to 1 victory on home ice.

Here’s Saturday night's Plus/Minus:

Plus: Evgeny Kuznetsov got the Capitals on the scoreboard less than minute into the contest with a sweet rush that embarrassed Robin Lehner.

Minus: Washington and Buffalo entered tonight’s contest with the same record throughout February, 4-5-2.

Eight more notes on the game.

  1. Kuznetsov danced through the neutral zone and Jason Pominville before deking around Lehner to put Washington ahead fifty seconds into the contest.
  2. T.J. Oshie was inches away from putting the Capitals ahead by two but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar and harmlessly away.
  3. Thirteen minutes in the second period Andre Burakovsky did his best impression of Kuznetsov, taking the puck from Washington’s zone to between Lehner’s pads for the two goal lead.
  4. Sam Reinhart got the third period started with a fantastic goal, moving to the inside around Dmitry Orlov and Nicklas Backstrom before shelfing a backhanded shot.
  5. But Alex Ovechkin would put the Capitals ahead by two once again, converting on a power play for his 37th of the season. Oveckhin would add another with 1:24 to play for his 38th. He’s now only four goals away from his next century mark.
  6. Lars Eller would add an empty net goal for the Capitals.
  7. Philipp Grubauer was neatly perfect for Washington all evening, turning aside 26 shots on his way to victory.
  8. Ovechkin tied former Washington legend Calle Johansson with his 983rd game played with the franchise.

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