Sabres score seven to defeat the Capitals

The Sabres consistently outplayed, outhussled, and outscored the Washington Capitals to earn a 7-3 victory. A rush of four sudden goals in the final 5:10 of the second period sparked off by a power play goal from Spacek allowed the Sabres to take care of the game.

Halfway through the game things were not really looking that well for the Sabres. Despite outplaying the Capitals, Buffalo had been unable to capitalize on any of their chances and despite putting up 53 shots by then end of the game appeared as if they were unwilling to shoot on the power play. Miller had let in an early goal, and it appeared as if the Sabres were going to have trouble climbing out of that one point hole.

Then Spacek scored on the power play. Just eleven seconds latter Afinogenov scored, followed by a Pominville goal two minuetes latter. Mair then finished out the period by sneaking a goal between the goalie and the post, that I still can't figure out no matter how many times I watch the replay.

The Capitals would score two more goals in the third, including one on the power play from Ovechkin, but the game was never really in danger. The prettiest goal of the game was the Sabres fifth which was set up by Afinogenov who circled repeatedly on around the net and then at the top of the faceoff circle, before passing it to Campbell who one timed it into the net (although Roy got credited on a deflection). Roy would go on to score another one latter in the game, as would Spacek who picked up another powerplay goal.

The Sabres have now scored 13 goals over the last two games. They were second in the league in goals per game, and scoring seven more is only going to help boost that stat. Buffalo's next game is on Monday night against Toronto.

Official Three Stars

Jaroslav Spacek

Brian Campbell

Maxim Afinogenov

My Three Stars

Jaroslav Spacek - (two goals, and playing well above expectations)

Derek Roy - (two goals, tied with Spacek at a goal a game on the season)

Maxim Afinogenov - (a goal and an assist, and a solid effort throughout the game)