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Tyler Ennis' first goal of the season came 9:34 into the game giving Buffalo an early 1-0 advantage. Ennis received a beautiful feed from Steve Ott, hesitated in the slot, and buried a shot that made its way past Neuvirth. Washington tied it up later in the period on Ward's third of the year. Jason Chimera got the scoring play started by whipping a shot toward Ryan Miller from the corner. Ward was camped out in front of the Sabres' crease and poked in the rebound.
The Caps took the lead in the second period when a John Erskine shot deflected off Cody Hodgson's stick and into the Buffalo net. Ovechkin gave Washington a two-goal lead a little over five minutes into the final frame, wristing a shot past Miller on the power play. Marcus Foligno pulled Buffalo to within a goal with his first of the season, but the Caps hung on for a 3-2 final.
Miller turned aside 27 shots while Neuvirth stopped 22. Mikhail Grigorenko skated for 17:10 and was in on a couple of scoring chances. Now that his fifth NHL game is over, the Sabres must decide whether to keep Grigorenko with the team or return him to juniors.
Miller turned aside 27 shots while Neuvirth stopped 22. Mikhail Grigorenko skated for 17:10 and was in on a couple of scoring chances. Now that his fifth NHL game is over, the Sabres must decide whether to keep Grigorenko with the team or return him to juniors.
The Sabres look to right the ship on Tuesday against the Maple Leafs. Faceoff is 7:00 p.m. on WGR and the Buffalo Sabres Radio Network.
1st Period
Goals
9:34 - BUF - Tyler Ennis (1) (Steve Ott, Drew Stafford)
16:02 - WAS - Joel Ward (3) (Jason Chimera, Mike Ribeiro)
Penalties
0:49 - BUF - Steve Ott (2 min., boarding)
19:27 - John Erskine (2 min., tripping)
2nd Period
Goals
3:18 - WAS - John Erskine (1) (Joel Ward)
Penalties
6:32 - BUF - Andrej Sekera (2 min., interference)
3rd Period
Goals
5:11 - WAS - Alexander Ovechkin (PPG) (1) (Mike Green, Mike Ribeiro)
10:13 - BUF - Marcus Foligno (1) (Patrick Kaleta, Andrej Sekera)
Penalties
4:28 - BUF - Alexander Sulzer (2 min., delay of game)
6:58 - WAS - Joey Crabb (2 min., hooking)
Goaltending
BUF - Ryan Miller (27 saves, 30 shots)
WAS - Michal Neuvirth (22 saves, 24 shots)
Power Plays
BUF - 0 of 2
WAS - 1 of 3
Three Stars
1.) Joel Ward (1 G, 1 A)
2.) Mike Ribeiro (0 G, 2 A)
3.) Alex Ovechkin (1 G, 0 A)