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.

Washington Capitals Review: March 22 - 31, 2012

Matt Hendricks makes another goalie look stupid with his shootout goal moves. This time, it was Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, on March 29, 2012.
Photo by Elsa / Getty Images via WashingtonCaps.com.

With the list of linked game reviews, highlights videos and other Washington Capitals related stories below, Junior's Eyes revisits the last ten days of March 2012.

During this segment of six games, the Capitals once again split it evenly, winning three and losing three. It was damn hard to keep the faith, with Washington floundering toward the end of the regular season at this pace. At the same time, the Eastern Conference teams closest to the Caps in the standings, were not able to widen the gap enough to put them completely out of the running for a NHL playoff spot.

The following list is in reverse chronological order.


March 31, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Two The Hard Way – It wasn’t pretty, but on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens at Verizon Center, the Caps authored a second straight 3-2 shootout win in a game in which they once held a 2-0 lead...


Nicklas Backstrom to return against Montreal
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

The Washington Capitals received some welcome news on Saturday as Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the lineup after missing nearly three months with a concussion...


March 30, 2012

With Tomas Vokoun injured, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby
are prepared to step up for Capitals
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

...Based on their comments to reporters on Friday, Michal Neuvirth and Braden Holtby are preparing to shoulder responsibilities in net down the stretch for Washington...


March 29, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Bruins 2, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Two Goals, Two Points – Going into Thursday night’s game with the Bruins in Boston, the Capitals knew two things. First, they knew they weren’t likely to score many goals. They were facing a hot Boston club that had won five of its previous six and had allowed two or fewer tallies in each of those half-dozen games. Second, the Caps knew they needed a strong goaltending performance of their own, and that’s a corollary of the first...


Capitals Lunchbox, Season 2, Episode 18
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

In which Alan May, Kellie Cowan and I talk discuss the Caps' playoff chances, identity (or lack thereof), Nicklas Backstrom and more. Dig it.

March 28, 2012

Tomas Vokoun says he’s ready to play
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

Tomas Vokoun has been battling a groin muscle strain off and on since late February, but after several consecutive days of practice the veteran netminder has deemed himself ready to play should the Capitals’ coaching staff want to use him on Thursday in Boston...


March 27, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Sabres 5, Capitals 1
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...Washington was unable to help itself on Tuesday in a significantly important game against the Sabres. Buffalo mustered all the offense it would need in the first frame, scoring twice on Washington mistakes while the Caps were unable to capitalize on some strong chances of their own...


March 25, 2012

That Was The Week That Was -- Week 24 (March 18-24)
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...What was frustrating about this week is that the Caps managed the first goal in three of the four games and lost two of them (both in extra time). What was anger-inducing was that the Caps scored five goals in each of the first and second periods of the four games this week, but only one in the third period and none in overtime. Meanwhile, the four opponents scored six second period, four third period, and an overtime goal among the 13 scored against Washington this week. That is the kind of wandering focus that has plagued this team for more than three games…more like three years...


POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Capitals 3, Wild 0
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...with time running out on the season, the Caps sitting in ninth place to start the day, and the Wild playing their second game in as many nights, Sunday’s game was one that Washington simply had to have. And the Caps got it...


March 24, 2012

Washington Capitals teammates welcome back Nicklas Backstrom
By Katie Carrera at Washington Post's Capitals Insider

When Nicklas Backstrom stepped on to the ice Saturday morning he was greeted by a round of applause and cheers from the fans in the stands at the Capitals’ practice facility...


March 23, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Jets 4, Capitals 3, OT
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

...After forging a 3-0 second-period lead over the Jets in a key game for Eastern Conference playoff positioning, Washington gave back two of those goals in a span of just 71 seconds in the second period, then spent virtually the entire third stanza dodging bullets in their own end. The result was a stinging and stunning 4-3 overtime loss to the plucky Jets...


March 22, 2012

POSTGAME NOTEBOOK: Flyers 2, Capitals 1, SO
By Mike Vogel - Senior Writer at WashingtonCaps.com

Missed It By That Much – Tonight’s game against the Flyers in Philly offered the Capitals a huge opportunity. The finale of a five-game road swing, it was also the rubber match of the set as the Caps came in with a 2-2 mark in the previous four games. As the game-in-hand on both seventh-place Ottawa and ninth-place Buffalo, the contest offered Washington a chance to pull to within two points of the Senators and to put two points of distance between itself and the Sabres...

Sabres Vs Capitals 04/03/2009 Review

Capitals fans celebrating last season's Southeast Division title on April 5, 2008.
Photo by Mithell Layton / Getty Images.

Sabres 5 - Capitals 4 OT

The Washington Capitals clinched the Southeast Division title for the second straight season, by getting the overtime point in last night's game versus the Buffalo Sabres. The play of both teams, and the on ice officiating as well, were inconsistent throughout. With that said, it was still an exciting game for the most part.

Both teams made some really good plays at times. Netminder Ryan "Sucker Punch" Miller and his Buffalo teammates never let up, showing that they are desperate to make the playoffs, which are currently just out of reach for them. They got a couple lucky bounces and deflections that turned into a few goals. The Sabres also made several mistakes that lead to a non-goal and a fairly steady parade to the penalty box.

The Capitals took advantage of those power play chances, scoring three times out of seven chances. They moved up to number one in the league for power play success. Washington also continued to do incredibly well in winning faceoffs. Rookie goaltender Simeon Varlamov (3-0-1) might not have been at his best, but he was better in his fourth game than the score indicates. Alex Ovechkin scored his 55th goal of the season, extending his scoring streak to seven straight games, while on the power play in the first period. Alexander Semin hit the 30 goal mark with his second period PPG. Sergei Fedorov scored two goals, both with long range shots that made their way through traffic. Unfortunately, Fedorov was also the one that made the bad pass during overtime which led directly to Buffalo's game winning goal. There were some other mistakes and miscomunications by his Washington teammates, so all the blame certainly does not land solely on him.

The Caps kept shrinking the gap between themselves and the Eastern Conference's first place Boston Bruins over the past couple months, but Boston has now clinched the conference title for the season. Washington should be able to hold onto second place, though the New Jersey Devils aren't far behind them.

Seinfeld (Season 5 / Ep. 21) - "The Hamptons" (Shrinkage Scene)

The Capitals' inconsistencies have got to at least be greatly reduced if they are going to go far in the playoffs. They haven't got much time to work on it now, with only four regular season games left. Hopefully they can improve on their focus. They definitely have the talent to be Stanley Cup contenders.

Capitals Vs Sabres 03/05/2008 Review

Photo - Rick Stewart / Getty Images

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Capitals 3 - Sabres 1

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The Washington Capitals stay only three points behind the Southeast Division leading Carolina Hurricanes by beating the Buffalo Sabres last night. The Cap's put in a fine effort. Olie Kolzig was stellar in net for Washington, and Alex Ovechkin scored two more goals. Those two goals make it a career best 54 on the season, two better than in his amazing 2005-2006 rookie season.

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The Capitals' played well defensively, cutting off the Sabres' passing lanes throughout the game. In the first period, that directly led to a few breakaways, including one by forward David Steckel and another by defenseman Jeff Schultz. With about five minutes left in the first, Olie collected a rebound from Buffalo's Derek Roy and dished the puck to Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom took the puck around the back of the net, and sent a long range pass to Ovechkin. Alex grabbed the bouncing puck in the neutral zone and headed up ice to the Sabres' net. Ovie's wrist shot easily went past netminder Ryan Miller, putting the Cap's up 1-0 at 15:21. Kolzig had no problem keeping Buffalo off the board in the remaining minutes of the period.

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Photo - Don Heupel / AP

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Olie Kolzig also kept his head in the second period. Early in the period, it seemed like Buffalo's Daniel Paille had different plans, though. Olie surged out of the crease to make a last second sprawling poke check, as Paille slammed full force into Kolzig's head while losing his balance at the end of his breakaway. I can just imagine coach Boudreau yelling "Shake it off Olie......shake it off". He did shake it off, and showed no ill effects the rest of the game. About 6 1/2 minutes into the period, there was a mysterious (= b^!! s#:t) delayed offside called on the Cap's. The whistle wasn't blown until Miller had control of the puck behind the Sabres' goal. Yeah.....whatever. Thanks to a hooking penalty on Washington's Jeff Schultz, Buffalo went on the power play. With Olie Kolzig fairly well screened by two Cap's defenders and Sabres' Thomas Vanek, Ales Kotalik's wrist shot made it into the net at 7:23. About a minute later, Washington answered back. Ovechkin grabbed the puck away from Steve Bernier at the edge of the offensive zone. You could almost hear the splash as Bernier dove into went down to the ice. Ovie sent the puck back to Viktor Kozlov. Kozzy shuttled it to Nick Backstrom, who put the puck past Miller for his 11th goal of the season. Nickie now leads all NHL rookies with in points with 58, as well as assists with 47. The period ended with the Capitals ahead 2-1.

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In the third period, Kolzig made a few up close saves, including a deflection off of Washington's own defender Milan Jurcina. Just over 13 minutes into the period, Alex Ovechkin drove to the net from the neutral zone. He scored his second goal of the game with a wrister, bringing his total for the season to a new personal best 54 goals. Even some of the Sabres' fans were applauding after the goal. I think other team's fans really enjoy Ovie's celebrations. With just about 3 minutes left in the game, Buffalo thought they had answered back. The crease was very crowded, as the Sabres' were trying to jam the puck through Kolzig. Olie ended up shoved back into the net. They went to video review, but couldn't come up with conclusive video of the puck being all the way across the goal line. Kolzig and the Cap's held on to their two goal lead, for the win.

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Photo - Don Heupel / AP

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It wasn't all good news after the game. Apparently Cap's forward David Steckel suffered a broken finger. But, there was plenty of good news too. Olie Kolzig notched his 299th NHL win. He made 25 saves on 26 shots, with 13 of the stops in the third period alone. Washington finally got a win in Buffalo, a city that hasn't been very kind to them over the past few years. The Cap's offense and defense were both clicking last night. With 14 more games left, Washington already has two points more than they totaled in each of the previous two seasons.

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.