Buffalo, N.Y. – In an exciting matchup on Saturday, the Buffalo Sabres extended their streak of games decided in overtime to four, ultimately clinching a 4-3 victory against the Washington Capitals after a shootout—a first for the season. Goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was pivotal in the win, demonstrating his skill by making five saves during both overtime and the shootout, which allowed the Sabres to finally emerge victorious after previously losing their last three overtime games.
The game started off rocky for Buffalo as the Capitals struck early, scoring two goals within the first three minutes. Luukkonen faced a challenging start, with Dylan Strome capitalizing on a rebound from a Ryan Leonard shot for the first goal, and the second coming during a swift 2-on-0 scenario where no blame could be placed on the goalie. Luukkonen, however, proved resilient, only allowing one more goal over the next several minutes, totaling 31 saves throughout the match.
Buffalo’s tendency to take third-period penalties nearly hampered their efforts, with players like Peyton Krebs and Beck Malenstyn sitting in the box for tripping, and Alex Tuch also receiving a holding penalty late in the game. Thankfully, the Sabres’ penalty kill, bolstered by a standout performance from Mattias Samuelsson, managed to stifle the Capitals’ power play efforts, maintaining pressure while keeping key offensive players on the bench.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Sabres rallied back. Jordan Greenway and Jason Zucker fought for possession behind the net, setting up Tage Thompson for a crucial goal that brought the game to 2-1. The Sabres continued to press, and Tuch’s quick hustle with Josh Doan resulted in the equalizer, making it 2-2.
Isak Rosen showcased his growth in his 16th NHL game, scoring his first career goal, which put Buffalo ahead 3-2. The assist came from Jack Quinn, demonstrating the depth of the team’s offensive talent.
In overtime, despite spending prolonged periods in their own zone, the Sabres showed grit. Luukkonen again rose to the occasion, thwarting numerous attempts from the Capitals. However, during the shootout, both Thompson, Quinn, Tuch, and Rasmus Dahlin were unable to score until Bo Byram converted his attempt, sealing the victory for Buffalo. Notably, all five Capitals players also missed their shootout attempts, adding to Buffalo’s triumph.
With this win, the Sabres have earned points in 8 out of their last 9 games, holding a record of 5-1-3. They remain strong at home with a 5-0-1 record in their last six home games. Coach Lindy Ruff highlighted their success in maintaining a favorable record through their strategic game segments, keeping them on track with their season goals.
Looking ahead, the Sabres will face the Utah Mammoth this Tuesday, as they continue their promising season demonstrated by their recent performances.