March 12, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabers defenseman Owen Power (25) tries to block a pass from Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) during the first quarter at Key Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Image Jakob Chychrun scored the go-ahead goal with 1:33 left in the third period and the Washington Capitals ended the Sabres’ eight-game winning streak with a 2-1 win at Buffalo on Thursday night.
Aliaksei Protas controlled a loose puck behind the Sabers net and stunned to Chychrun, who scored his 23rd goal of the season with a wrist shot from the right faceoff point. It was Protas’ 100th assist in his career.
Ryan Leonard scored for the third straight game for the Capitals, who won their second of three games and lost 4-1 at the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
Charlie Lindgren made 29 saves for Washington and earned a much-needed two points as the Capitals remain in contention for an Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Sam Carrick scored for the Sabres, who continue to lead the Atlantic Division by outscoring their opponents 36-20 during their winning streak. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 20 saves.
Each team went 0-for-2 on the power play.
Carrick gave the Sabers a 1-0 lead at 6:02 of the first period. Beck Malenstyn came out from behind the net into the left circle and sent a backhand feed across the crease to Carrick, who scored at the right post. It was Carrick’s second goal in four games with Buffalo since being acquired in a trade with the New York Rangers.
The Capitals were outscored 15-3 in the period and didn’t make their first shot until nearly 10 minutes had passed. Lindgren made a series of saves on a Buffalo power play in the second half to keep the score at 1-0.
Leonard intercepted an errant pass at Washington’s blue line at 2:14 of the second period, skated into the offensive zone, and scored with a wrist shot from the right circle to tie the game.
Luukkonen blocked a Tom Wilson breakaway early in the third period.
–Field level media
