Buffalo, NY -- Hours after making a pair of deadline deals -- acquiring Raffi Torres and parting ways with Nathan Paetsch and Clarke MacArthur -- the Sabres dropped a 3-1 decision on Wednesday to the Capitals. Buffalo managed only 24 shots on net, including 4 in the second period, while Ryan Miller came up with 37 saves in the losing effort. Prior to the game, Miller was honored with a raucous ovation from the HSBC Arena crowd for his MVP effort at the Vancouver Olympics.
After over 35 minutes of scoreless hockey, the Capitals struck first. Jason Chimera was credited with his 13th of the season at the 15:23 mark of the second period following a Jeff Schultz blast from the blue line. Exactly one minute later, the Sabres tied it when Jochen Hecht snapped a shot past Washington netminder Jose Theodore and into the net. It stayed that way until Mike Green swept the puck past Miller about midway through the third period, giving the Caps a 2-1 lead. Boyd Gordon provided some insurance with a long empty-netter in the game's final minute.
Torres did not suit up for his new team tonight, having been acquired by the Sabres only about four hours before faceoff. Washington was among the busier teams on Wednesday, however the Caps also played without their new pickups (Scott Walker, Eric Belanger, Milan Jurcina, and Joe Corvo).
The loss marked Buffalo's 8th in 9 games and was another missed opportunity to leapfrog Ottawa in the Northeast Division. The idle Senators (76 pts.) continue to lead the Sabres (75 pts.) with two games in hand. Fifth-place Buffalo will host 6th-place Philadelphia on Friday; the Flyers trail the Sabres by six points in the Eastern Conference. Catch the play by play with Rick Jeanneret and Harry Neale at 7:30 p.m. on the Buffalo Sabres Radio Network.
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