Sabres Vs Capitals January 27, 2013 Game Review

Washington Capitals celebrate first win of season - Washington, DC January 27, 2013.
Photo © Nick Wass / AP Photo.

Buffalo Sabres 2 Vs Washington Capitals 3 = Home Game Win!

The Washington Capitals finally won themselves a game on Sunday - January 27, 2013, after having lost their first four (first time since 1993-1994), to start the -2012--2013 NHL Hockey season. Washington's victory came at home, and at the expense of the Buffalo Sabres, giving Adam Oates his first win as an NHL head coach.

Goaltender Michal Neuvirth had played very well in the two previous hockey games for the Capitals, earning the confidence of coach Oates, and a third consecutive start in net. He was, once again, his consistently brilliant self.

Most of the Caps players have shown improvement from game to game, and particularly in the third period of the last game, when they gained an overtime point against the New Jersey Devils. There are some who were ready before the first puck drop.

Yet a few, like defenseman John Carlson seem to be annual "slow-starters". Marcus Johansson was one of the healthy scratches for this game. I don't remember either of the previous head coaches ever sitting Johansson out. Perhaps this is a hint to the young forward, as he hasn't shown the urgency that he should be showing on the ice.

As usual with Washington so far this saeson, the other team scored first. Halfway through the first period, after a turnover by Carlson, Buffalo's Tyler Ennis sent a backhand shot into the net. However, the next three goals were all by Washington Capitals. The first of those came at 16:02, when right-winger Joel Ward scored his third goal of the season, on a play that started when Sabres goalie Ryan Miller turned over the puck with a bad clearing pass. Miller didn't get awarded with an assist, but Capitals forwards Jason Chimera and Mike Ribeiro did.

Both Ward and Chimera gained assists about three minutes into the second period, when Caps defenseman John Erskine eluded Drew Stafford (RW) at the point, and scored his first goal since 2011.

For the first time this season, Washington did not get into a high penalty count. There were only five penalties in the entire game, and the Capitals only received two of those. They did capitalize in a big way on one of Buffalo's three called infractions.

The Caps had to feel pretty good, actually leading (by one goal) in a game. Then, about five minutes into the third period, they added a power-play goal. The goal, which was the first of the season for Alex Ovechkin (LW / RW), turned out to be the game winner. He picked a good time to get his goal scoring started. Marcus Foligno (LW) added another for the Sabres in the middle of the final period, punching in his own rebound, amongst some serious crease area traffic.

This game was a joy to watch, after having to endure the four previous loses, and the lesser quality of play in those disappointments. It was great to finally see a truly good game. Both sides played hard, and there were still few mistakes. Everybody played with high energy all the way through the whole 60 minutes. These were professional NHL hockey players, and they were all playing to win.

Game Highlights: Buffalo Sabres At Washington Capitals January 27, 2013

Caps Postgame Locker Room 01/27/13: Caps players Troy Brouwer, John Erskine, Mike Ribeiro and Joel Ward address the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Alex Ovechkin Postgame 01/27/13: Caps captain Alex Ovechkin addresses the media after scoring the game-winning PPG in today's 3-2 win against the Buffalo Sabres.

Adam Oates Postgame 01/27/13: Caps head coach Adam Oates addresses the media after a 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.

Sabres Vs Capitals 12/14/2007 Review

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Sabres 5 - Capitals 3

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This was another important game for the Washington Capitals. It was a chance for the Caps to get a fourth straight win for the first time this season. They desperately needed to keep their good fortune going. But, they ultimately failed to do so.

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Early in the first period, the Capitals got their first Power Play when Brian Pothier was cross checked by the Buffalo Sabres' Thomas Vanek who got two minutes for interference. Vanek is currently enjoying the richest contract in Sabres history. As if being cross checked in the back wasn't bad enough, Pothier also got hit with the puck. Thankfully, he wasn't injured. However, the Caps were unable to score during the two minute man advantage. At 12:32 the Sabres were caught with too many men on the ice. Washington had been caught for the same infraction earlier in the period. Standing beside the net, Nicklas Backstom passed the puck from the Buffalo goal line to Alexander Ovechkin, who then tipped in his own rebound for the first goal of the game. It was Ovechkin's 23rd of the season. He now has points in seven straight games. With just over a minute left in the first period, Capitals' goaltender Olie Kolzig came well out of his crease to clear the puck. He fumbled the attempt, and two seconds later Buffalo's Derek Roy deposited the puck in the empty net. Roy's goal was unassisted, at least not by one of his own teammates. The period ended tied 1-1.

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After only 38 seconds into the second period, on a give & go play with Victor Kozlov, Backstrom got the puck past the Sabres' goaltender Ryan Miller. At 3:32 the Caps were caught with too many men on the ice again. That made the third time in less than twenty-four minutes of play that one of these teams got busted for playing an extra skater. Washington killed off the penalty, keeping the score at Sabres 1 - Capitals 2. With about nine & a half minutes left in the period, the Sabres' visorless Tim Connolly was hit just under one eye with the puck. He was not severely injured. Then, with just over a minute left, Maxim Afinogenov tied it up for the Sabres by scoring his fifth goal of the season. Unfortunately, the puck was actually knocked in by the Capitals' Mike Green, who was trying to stick check. All of Max's goals this season have been in the second period. So, the second period ended tied 2-2.

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Just 19 seconds into the third period, Buffalo's Drew Stafford put the Sabres ahead with a wrap around goal. Less than five minutes later, Washinton's Brooks Laich evened it back up. He sent the puck, not playable by the goaltender Miller because of an odd bounce off the boards behind the net, into the net with a lay up wrist shot. Later on, Connolly backhanded one in for the Sabres' fourth. With 1:14 left in the game & Kolzig pulled for the extra skater, Jochen Hecht made it 5-3 with the empty net wrister.

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While being interviewed after the game, Capitals' Coach Bruce Boudreau had plenty to say. Not much of it was positive. Boudreau, referring to whether the loss would make his players more determined in tomorrow night's game, said he was going to "find out about a lot of guys tomorrow". He also said "I'm not going to accept any excuses". Boudreau said, referring to mistakes made & lack of focus in the third period...."You keep doing that, and you're not going to play". Hopefully, the Capitals can regain the form of the last three games, & get another win streak started tomorrow night, when they travel to Tampa Bay to face the Lightning.