The Capitals took some time to shake off the rust and ultimately fell 4-3 in the shootout.
The Capitals took some time to shake off the rust and ultimately fell 4-3 in the shootout.
WASHINGTON – It took the Washington Capitals some time to get going in their preseason showdown with the Buffalo Sabres, and though they forced extra time, they fell in the shootout.
Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Ryan Hofer and Sonny Milano scored in regulation and Milano scored in the shootout, but ultimately, they fell 4-3.
Here are all the takeaways from the defeat:
Capitals Get Moving As Game Goes On, Milano Forces OT After D.C. Surrenders Three Unanswered
It wasn't the fastest start for either team, as both had to shake off the summer rust and get back in the swing of things following a penalty-filled start to action. Despite leading 1-0 thanks to Aube-Kubel's tally, the Capitals were being outshot 10-5 going into the second period. It was there that they picked things up.
Washington was able to draw a couple of penalties and get some quality power-play chances, and the team was also able to generate some pressure and establish more pace and grit.
The Capitals started to beat out the Sabres in puck battles, find their legs and get more shots on goal, which ultimately led to Hofer, who led Washington with three shots, scoring on Henrik Rybinski's rebound.
Despite having a 2-0 lead, the Capitals would let Buffalo back in it. Near a breakaway that led to a J.J. Peterka goal to make it a one-goal game going into the final frame.
Then in the third, Peyton Krebs would tip one past Stevenson to make it a 2-2 game. After that, Zach Benson would strike on the power play to give the Sabres the lead. Trevor van Riemsdyk was injured on that play.
Down 3-2 with time winding down, Anthony Mantha took charge and poked the puck up to Milano for the game-tying goal to eventually force overtime. Dylan Strome picked up the secondary helper.
Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough as Buffalo won the eventual shootout 2-1.
Sutter, Phillips, Iorio Among Standouts In Preseason Opener, Hofer Impresses In Limited Ice Time
Sutter earned high praise from the Capitals front office following his strong season leading the Hershey Bears' fourth line last season, and in his first game since that Calder Cup run, he impressed once again.
Sutter centered the third line with Jake Karabela and Nicolas Aube-Kubel, and he set up the team's first goal of the game, made his presence known at both ends of the ice, went 7-for-11 in the faceoff dot, led the charge on the team's penalty kill, which went 5-for-5 on the night.
The 6-foot-4, 211-pound pivot picked up a primary assist after making a great read in front of the net and finding Aube-Kubel to complete a tic-tac-toe play for a 1-0 lead.
Matthew Phillips also impressed, making some great passes and leading all skaters with four shots. He was moving well, making himself noticeable and playing bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame.
Another player who stood out was Vincent Iorio. He led all skaters in even-strength ice time and made some smart defensive plays to bail his team out, while having some nice looks on offense to boot. And, when van Riemsdyk left with injury, he stepped up to help lead the charge.
Hofer also crashed the crease and did all the right things in limited ice time.
Capitals Lose Van Riemsdyk To Injury
In the third period, van Riemsdyk blocked a shot with his hand. He went down the tunnel after Buffalo scored on the play that followed. He did not return.
Top Shelf Takes
- Lucas Johansen and van Riemsdyk both picked up secondary assists on each of the Capitals' goals.
- Speaking of van Riemsdyk, he, Strome and Martin Fehervary were the team's alternate captains for the game.
- Shepard also made the most of his start, putting on a show in the first half of the game with some ten-bell saves and great movement in the crease to keep his team up. Through 31:34 minutes of ice time, he finished with 18 saves on 18 shots before handing over the duties to Stevenson.