Sports Then and Now

Buffalo (16-9-2) vs. Washington (19-5-6)

Ryan Miller makes a save on Washington's Brooks Laich

It looked like a no-brainer. The Caps were easily the favored team against the Sabres. With Buffalo scoring one goal in their past two games, Washington looked like the best bet in this one.

The Capitals came into the game first in points, goals, and power play percentage.
Wednesday night, Ryan Miller and the Buffalo Sabres showed up to play.

Steve Montador led the scoring with his second of the season, giving Buffalo the early lead.

Just called up from Portland, Nathan Gerbe collected a goal and an assist on the night. Gerbe was extremly upset that he did not make the team at the start of the season. In his first game this season, he showed Lindy Ruff why he should be on the team.

Gerbe scored his first career NHL goal in the second period. Only a couple minutes later, Henrik Tallinder would score his second of the season, putting Buffalo up 3-0.

Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals could not get anything past Miller. The Buffalo goaltender continues to make sure that he will be the started for team U.S.A.

Miller made three or four phenomenal saves on Washington. The fans at HSBC arena even began to chant “USA USA”. Miller made 35 saves as he is now tied with Bryzgalov for the league lead in shutouts, with four.

Buffalo played very well against the league’s top team. They were able to force Ovechkin to the outside, causing him to make plays he didn’t want to make.

Either Buffalo played really well, or the Capitals did not play well at all. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Regardless, the Sabres earned two points, taking first place in the Northeast Division.

Buffalo will host Chicago on Friday night at 7:30.

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