Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson and Conor Sheary scored, Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Thursday night for their second consecutive victory.
Backstrom's goal came on the power play in the first period, Wilson's short-handed in the second and Sheary at even strength in the third. Vanecek wasn't tested much until midway through the second but made a big stop on Kyle Okposo in tight late in the period and was strong overall in his 12th consecutive start.
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Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson and Conor Sheary scored, Vitek Vanecek made 22 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-1 on Thursday night for their second consecutive victory.
Victor Olofsson scored a power-play goal for Buffalo, which lost its fourth in a row and third since returning from a two-week shutdown for a virus outbreak. It was just the Sabres' third goal in three games and not enough support for Linus Ullmark, who allowed three goals on 21 shots.
Asked if he was doing anything differently on offense, Backstrom said: “Maybe going to the net a little bit harder — a lot of rebound goals and stuff like that. That’s just the mindset the coaching staff wants us to have.”
“I’m not going to go that far, but obviously we’ve got a busy schedule coming up, so I’m sure you’ll see him at some point," Laviolette said.
“You can see the writing on the wall, that he needs more space to get his energy level up,” said 61-year-old coach Ralph Krueger, who also contracted the disease as part of the team’s outbreak. "Every one of us that had COVID has a different pathway back. His will still take some time.”
Sabres: At New Jersey on Saturday.
Washington has rebounded nicely in the aftermath of a four-game losing streak. The Capitals followed their best 60-minute performance of the season Tuesday night at Pittsburgh with another consistent effort against a struggling opponent.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), of Sweden, celebrates his goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
Victor Olofsson scored a power-play goal for Buffalo, which lost its fourth in a row and third since returning from a two-week shutdown for a virus outbreak. It was just the Sabres' third goal in three games and not enough support for Linus Ullmark, who allowed three goals on 21 shots.
BACKSTROM ON THE BOARD
Backstrom leads the Capitals with eight goals this season. That's three more than longtime running mate Alex Ovechkin, though Washington's captain missed four games because of COVID-19 protocols.
Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) celebrates his goal with center Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
Asked if he was doing anything differently on offense, Backstrom said: “Maybe going to the net a little bit harder — a lot of rebound goals and stuff like that. That’s just the mindset the coaching staff wants us to have.”
CAPS GOALIE CAROUSEL
While Vanecek continued his run of starts, Ilya Samsonov practiced again with the American Hockey League's Hershey Bears following his second rehab start. The guy who was expected to be Washington's No. 1 goaltender allowed six goals on 52 shots in minor league action since recovering from COVID-19 and is set to rejoin the team, though coach Peter Laviolette didn't promise Samsonov would start this weekend with back-to-back games.
Buffalo Sabres center Eric Staal (12) and Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) battle for the puck in front of goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
“I’m not going to go that far, but obviously we’ve got a busy schedule coming up, so I’m sure you’ll see him at some point," Laviolette said.
RISTOLAINEN OUT
Buffalo is expected to be without defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen for its next three games while he continues to recover from COVID-19.
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) lunges for the puck in front of Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
“You can see the writing on the wall, that he needs more space to get his energy level up,” said 61-year-old coach Ralph Krueger, who also contracted the disease as part of the team’s outbreak. "Every one of us that had COVID has a different pathway back. His will still take some time.”
The Sabres had nine players on the league’s COVID protocol list as recently as Feb. 12.
UP NEXT
Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek (41) and defenseman Brenden Dillon (4) watch the puck in front of Buffalo Sabres center Riley Sheahan (15) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)
Sabres: At New Jersey on Saturday.
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Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) shoves Buffalo Sabres right wing Sam Reinhart, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Washington. (AP PhotoNick Wass)