1st Period:
Everything has gone right for Buffalo tonight.
The Caps brought unopened, gift wrapped presents with them to First Niagara Center.
Case in point, Hamrlik took a stupid, ill-advised delay of game penalty just nine seconds into the game when he sailed a clearing attempt into the third row of Section 106 in the lower bowl. Jason Pominville's PPG gave Buffalo the earliest 1-0 lead that they have had on home ice this season. Moments later, Luke Adam won a key O-zone draw. The puck found matt Ellis who buried a pretty back hander behind Neuvirth.
Ehrhoff's snappper from 54 feet out beat Neuvirth top shelf. Neuvirth was run from his net after surrendering three Buffalo goals on just six shots.
Vokoun was greeted by another Buffalo PP, in wgich Brad Boyes won a puck battle on the far wall and kept the play alive by moving his feet. Boyes found McNabb all alone ion the slot. McNabb';s shot found the back of Vokoun's net for his first ever NHL goal.
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2nd Period:
Jason Pominville's goal, his 12th of the season, gives him a team high 38 points. He now has 48 points in his last 44 games.
Matt Ellis scored his second goal in a 17 game span.
Vanek's assist on the Ehrhoff goal gives him 3 goals and 5 assists in last 5 games.
Brayden McNabb's goal was his first NHL point.
Derek Roy has 24 points in 24 career games vs. Washington.
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All Sabres in second period.
They have done an excellent job of bottling up Caps guns: Ovechkin (4 shots), Backstrom (2 shots), Semin (no shots).
Sabres D and fowards are making the Caps shoot from the walls and the perimeter. Not a lot of inside access for Caps.
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Miller has been razor sharp. he's seeing shots and making the saves.
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4-1 Sabres:
Matthieu Perreault scores therough a schmozzle of bodies and sticks in front of Miller.
17 seconds left in period when Perreault scored.
Grease fire.
Lock it down, boys!
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3rd Period:
Goose has won 5 of 6 draws. He's 6th in NHL with a 56.9% clip.
Roy has won 7 of 10 draws.
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4-2 Sabres
@ 9:51, Kaleta takes phantom "tripping" penalty.
Ovechin scores high cheese with a twisted wrister.
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