Isak Rosen scored his first NHL goal and Bowen Byram secured the game-winning goal in a shootout as the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Saturday at KeyBank Center.
Washington started strong, with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas scoring two goals less than a minute apart, giving the Capitals an early 2-0 lead. The Sabres responded quickly, narrowing the gap just 15 seconds later when Jason Zucker found Tage Thompson for his fifth goal of the season. This marked Thompson’s sixth consecutive game earning a point against Washington, making him the first Buffalo player to achieve such a streak since Thomas Vanek from 2010 to 2013.
Buffalo tied the game midway through the first period. Josh Doan delivered a backhand pass to Alex Tuch, who scored his fifth goal of the year. Tuch has now earned at least one point in each of his last seven home games, which is his second-longest streak at home, and he has collected 12 points over his past ten games. Doan has contributed nine points in his last nine games.
Rosen’s milestone came during his season debut after being recalled from Rochester on Friday. Jack Quinn set up Rosen’s first career NHL goal by drawing defenders and passing across for Rosen to finish.
The Sabres ended the opening period leading 3-2 after three goals on their first ten shots and holding Washington to only one shot over nearly nine minutes late in that frame.
Sonny Milano leveled the score for Washington late in the second period with his first goal of this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had stopped 18 consecutive shots before Milano’s tally.
Buffalo successfully killed off three penalties during the third period, including one in its final four minutes. Luukkonen made five saves during overtime and finished with 31 saves overall.
With no winner decided after overtime, both teams entered their first shootout of this season. Byram converted for Buffalo while Luukkonen stopped all five attempts by Washington shooters—including one by Alex Ovechkin—to secure victory.
Following this result, Buffalo improved its record to 5-4-3 and has recorded at least one point in eight of its last nine contests—including six straight games.
The Sabres will continue their homestand Tuesday against Utah Mammoth at KeyBank Center; coverage begins on MSG at 6:30 p.m., with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m.
