The second half of back-to-backs are hard. Doing it on the road is even harder.
The Caps got out shot 9-3 in the first half of the first period, but they survived. The Caps continued to get out shot pretty badly in the first, but Grubauer stood tall, making 15 saves in the opening frame.
In the second period, Grubauer could be perfect no more. Jack Eichel toyed with both Lars Eller and Brooks Orpik before finding Evander Kane in front of the net to put Buffalo on top 1-0. Late in the second, Devante Smith-Pelly made a sweet pass to Alex Ovechkin and you know how this one ended. Game tied 1-1 after two.
A little over three minutes into the third, Benoit Pouliot took advantage of Jakub Vrana and Brooks Orpik being back on defense to put Buffalo back on top 2-1. The Caps made a late push but couldn’t find the back of the net. Kane added an empty netter for Buffalo.
Sabres beat Caps 3-1.
- The Caps came out a little flat (or maybe the Sabres came out charged up) but that’s okay because Philipp Grubauer was ready to play. Grubauer often plays in the second game of back-to-backs, so he’s not always getting his teammates’ best performance. But thanks goodness he was on top of his game early in this one.
- Something that happened at the end of the first period with Brooks Orpik in the box: Aaron Ness and Taylor Chorney as a defensive pair on the penalty kill. Remember where you were when this one happened, y’all. Future generations are going to ask you about it.
- Speaking of Ness, Ian’s favorite player was interviewed during intermission tonight
It's my boy Ness pic.twitter.com/VZbjHF6Qki
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 8, 2017
- Something we already know: Jack Eichel is one heck of a player. It looked like he was toying with the Caps at times tonight. But did you see how mad he got in the second period when Nathan Walker finished his check on him? Hockey is fun.
- It’s impossible to get tired of watching Nicklas Backstrom play hockey.
https://twitter.com/NBCSCapitals/status/928069261335121920
- Alex Ovechkin just keeps doing his thing. When you’ve managed to keep the score within one despite being outplayed, it sure is nice to have that guy on your team to even things up.
- Early in the third period, Jakub Vrana shrugged off Kyle Okposo (6’0″, 218) like he was nothing. Keep plays like this in mind if you hear anyone call Vrana soft.
- Hey, about 30 seconds after I typed the bullet above, Vrana got caught playing D after John Carlson pinched. It didn’t work out. Orpik didn’t look good on the second goal either, but he didn’t look as bad he did on the first Buffalo goal.
- Ness and Chorney both got penalty kill time. Christian Djoos did not.
- Chandler Stephenson quietly had another solid game. We’ll see if he can keep it up, but he’s doing everything he can to keep a roster spot once this team is healthy.
Joe B suit of the night
Headline image: Bill Wippert
