Capitals Collapse Against Sabres

The Washington Capitals blew a two-goal lead in the third period to fall 5-4 against the Buffalo Sabres on Day 155. Washington remains in sixth place after the loss, one point behind Philadelphia and two points ahead of New Jersey and Pittsburgh. Tampa Bay is a further three points adrift. All five clubs have four games remaining.

Buffalo jumped out to an early 1-0 lead when Lydman scored from Butsayev and Afinogenov. The Caps outshot the Sabres 11-5 in the first period, but none of them made it past Rick Dipietro in the Buffalo goal.

The Capitals exploded in the second period to score three goals in the first 8:07. Zigmund Palffy got the first from Mikael Renberg and Patrick Marleau at 2:54. Frantisek Lukes then gave Washington its first lead of the game from David Vyborny and Jonathan Cheechoo on the power play at 4:49. Given another chance with the extra man a couple minutes later, the Capitals took advantage as Andrew Ference tallied from Vyborny and Cheechoo at 8:07. Buffalo pulled a goal back through Spezza from Hemsky and Markov at 9:01 to make it 3-2.

The third period started brightly for Washington as Lukes scored his second of the game and 24th of the season at 4:45 to extend the lead to two goals. Everything turned around for the Sabres when the club killed a penalty just a minute after Luke's goal, and Spezza sparked the rally with his second of the game from Leclair at 8:31. Afinogenov tied the game just 35 seconds later form Kruikov and Butsayev at 9:08, and a late goal from Hunter gave Buffalo the surprising victory. Gagne and Vasicek assisted on the game-winner.

Manny Legace made 16 saves in the loss to fall to 28-27-8. Rick Dipietro stopped 28 shots to earn the win and improve to 7-13-0.

The Capitals are back in action on Day 156 in New Jersey.