Sabres erase 2-0 deficit to win preseason opener in Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – JJ Peterka scored in regulation and again in the shootout to help the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 victory in their preseason opener against the Washington Capitals inside Capital One Arena on Sunday.

Peyton Krebs and Zach Benson also scored goals for the Sabres, who overcame a 2-0 deficit. Peterka and Krebs were two of the veterans on a roster comprised mostly of prospects.

Eric Comrie started in goal for the Sabres and made 19 saves on 21 shots in two periods. Dustin Tokarski stopped 10 of 11 shots in relief.

Nicolas Aube-Kubel, Ryan Hofer, and Sonny Milano scored goals for the Capitals.

How it happened

PERIOD 1

The Sabres generated a 10-5 shot advantage in a period that saw the two teams combine for four penalties (three by the Capitals), but Aube-Kubel found the scoreboard with 5:08 remaining to send Washington into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.

PERIOD 2

Hofer cleaned up a rebound in front of Comrie to extend the Capitals’ lead to 2-0. Peterka answered for the Sabres with 4:02 remaining, sending the puck in off the back of Clay Stevenson after the Capitals goaltender made an initial save on a breakaway.

PERIOD 3

Krebs deflected a shot from the point by Jacob Bryson to tie the score at 2-2 just 1:19 into the period. Benson tipped a shot from Ryan Johnson to put the Sabres ahead with 11:01 remaining.

The Capitals responded with a goal from Milano to tie the game at 3-3 with 7:29 to play.

OVERTIME

Tokarski stopped Aliaksei Protas on a breakaway to send the game to the shootout.

SHOOTOUT

The Sabres fell behind when Milano scored on the opening attempt of the shootout, but Peterka responded with a goal between Stevenson’s pads. Brandon Biro scored on a backhand attempt to clinch the victory.

Highlights

Up next

The Sabres return to KeyBank Center to host the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Tickets are available here.

NESN’s broadcast feed will air on MSG beginning at 7 p.m. Dan Dunleavy and Rob Ray will have the radio call on WGR 550.