At The Final Horn: Capitals 2 - Sabres 1

After a 10-goal game on opening night, the offensive chances were replaced by defensive efforts.
The Buffalo Sabres looked like a more cohesive unit, but were unable to convert on their quality chances at 5-on-5 or on the power play in their 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday at KeyBank Center. Buffalo went 0-for-5 with the man advantage, matched up against a tough Washington unit penalty kill unit.
While Buffalo outshot the Capitals throughout the night, they were stymied until Sabres coach Ralph Krueger shifted the lines. In the second period he moved Sam Reinhart onto a line with Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall and they found success to start the third when Rasmus Ristolainen scored to tie the game.

Jakub Vrana and Tom Wilson scored for the Capitals to lift them to their second win as many night against the Sabres.
While Buffalo outshot the Capitals 31-21 on the night, they also missed 14 shots and had another seven blocked.
Linus Ullmark stopped 19 shots in his season debut. Vitek Vanecek made his NHL debut between the pipes and registered 30 saves for Washington.

What happened

The Sabres outshot the Capitals 11-6 in the first period, but went 0-for-3 on the power play.
Washington struck first 1:34 into the second period when Jakub Vrana went top shelf on the rush. Tom Wilson forced a turnover in the neutral zone and sprung Vrana for a break.
The Capitals were strong in their defensive zone and helped limit dangerous scoring opportunities on their rookie netminder.
Buffalo's best pressure of the game came in the last stages of the second period when their No. 1 power play unit was able to settle in and generate some chances. On one particular opportunity, Victor Olofsson was denied in tight.
For the second night in a row, the Sabres came out strong to begin the third period. Reinhart helped generate Buffalo's first goal by setting a high screen as the puck zipped by and into the back of the net. Eichel worked the puck to Hall, who fed Ristolainen and his shot made its way past Vanecek.
Washington responded, however, with a goal by Tom Wilson at the 7:47 mark of the third to regain the lead. After Wilson forced Colin Miller down to the ice in the corner, Nicklas Backstrom took advantage of the defensive mismatch and set Wilson up for a shot that beat Ullmark.
Buffalo had one final chance on the power play with 4:13 remaining and kept the pressure on with the extra attacker in the final minutes but were unable to tie the game.

Roll the highlight film

Here's Ristolainen's first of the season:

Worthy of a mention

Eric Staal was a gametime decision before the game after sustaining an upper-body injury in the home opener when he was checked in the head by Capitals forward Nic Dowd. Staal skated 17:43 and recorded two shots on goal.

Up next

The Sabres have a back-to-back set against the Philadelphia Flyers on the road starting Monday. That game will air on NBCSN at 7:30 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the call on WGR 550.