The Capitals got a big showing from Dylan Strome to extend their winning streak to five games.
WASHINGTON — Just when it looked like it was over for the Washington Capitals on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres, Dylan Strome stepped up and got the puck to Tom Wilson for the game-tying goal to force overtime. There, he played hero again and propelled his team to a 4-3 win.
Storme had his first career NHL overtime winner, and Wilson, Alex Alexeyev and T.J. Oshie also found twine to help Washington rally from two deficits and secure a victory on Thanksgiving Eve.
Here are the takeaways from the win, which is the Capitals' fifth straight and their ninth win in 11 games.
Capitals Start On Wrong Foot, But Rally Back Twice
Washington had been getting off to strong starts over the last handful of games, but Wednesday played out differently, as the Capitals surrendered the first two goals of the game and found themselves having to battle back.
J.J. Peterka struck first for the Sabres roughly halfway through the opening frame on a shot through traffic, and later in the period, Zach Benson would score his first career NHL goal on a highlight-reel, between-the-legs play.
Alexeyev would help Washington respond and get some life at the end of the period, scoring his first career goal shortly after on a shot that went off a Buffalo skater and past Devon Levi.
Then, in the second, Oshie would finally break through for his first goal of the sseason and first in 19 games. The 36-year-old crashed the net and buried a rebound off a Connor McMichael shot to even the score at 2.
It was his first goal in 19 games; his last tally had come against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 21, 2023. He had scored back on Nov. 2, but the goal was waved off.
After Dylan Cozens' power-play goal put Buffalo back up in the second, the Capitals worked to tilt the ice back in their favor, and it paid off with Tom Wilson tying the game at 6-on-5 with just 1:15 minutes left in regulation.
Strome would then complete the comeback, electing to shoot on a 2-on-1 in overtime and beating Levi.
Capitals Power Play Struggles Continue, Penalty Kill Streak Ends
Washington had a chance to even the score late in the first period and get back to a level playing field thanks to a late power-play opportunity, but the team's woes on the man advantage continued as the Capitals failed to get much going.
Washington couldn't get many second or third looks on some of the chances, and ultimately, the team couldn't convert with the extra man. The team is now 0-for-22 over the last nine games.
To make matters worse, the penalty kill, which had been flawless for 10 games prior to Wednesday, saw its hot streak come to an end. After killing off a 5-on-3 opportunity and getting back to 5-on-4, Dylan Cozens buried a one-timer past Darcy Kuemper to make it 3-2 for Buffalo.
Top Shelf Takes
- John Carlson led Washington with six shots on goal.
- Connor McMichael picked up an assist and has points in three of his last four games.
- Trevor van Riemsdyk now has assists in back-to-back games.