A spectacular solo goal from Thomas Vanek in overtime gave the Buffalo Sabres a 3-2 victory over Washington on Saturday that snapped the Capitals’ six-game winning streak.
Vanek controlled a loose puck outside the Capitals blue-line, faked Washington defenseman John Carlson and beat goalie Braden Holtby with a backhand effort with a minute of overtime remaining to give the Sabres their first win on home ice this season.
“It felt nice, obviously. Any time you can contribute to help the team win is great,” Vanek said. “I picked up good speed and I think two guys changed, so I just kind of took a stab at it and it went in.”
It was Buffalo’s first home win and it moved them off the bottom of the Northeast Division.
“We owe the fans a few and that was a good team to start it against. They had won a lot of games in a row,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “We knew we were going to have to play a smart game.”
The Capitals took a 1-0 lead on a first period goal by defenseman Karl Alzner, but Buffalo dominated the second and went ahead thanks to goals from Steve Montador and Vanek.
Nicklas Backstrom scored the only goal of the third period to force overtime as he drew the Capitals even with a well-placed wrist-shot, before Vanek’s stunning overtime winner.
Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold recorded three assists.
Ryan Miller, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s best goaltender, made his first start since suffering a hip injury on Oct. 29, stopping 23 shots, including a breakaway by Alexander Ovechkin in the first period to keep the score at 1-0.
“I just had a feeling he [Ovechkin] was going to try and go forehand,” Miller said. “I was thinking years back he has only beat me to his forehand.”
Saturday’s other results:
‧ Red Wings 3, Avalanche 1
‧ Senators 2, Bruins 0
‧ Kings 5, Islanders 1
‧ Canucks 5, Maple Leafs 3
‧ Canadiens 7, Hurricanes 2
‧ Flyers 5, Panthers 2
‧ Penguins 4, Thrashers 2
‧ Coyotes 5, Blues 3
‧ Predators 4, Blackhawks 3, SO
‧ Sharks 4, Flames 3
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