Alex Ovechkin scored twice during a four-goal rally in the third period and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2, on Wednesday night to extend their winning streak to nine games.
Marcus Johansson put Washington (28-6-2) ahead 8:32 into the final period, and Andre Burakovsky scored 1:24 later. Evgeny Kuznetsov had two assists during the third period. Justin Williams scored the Capitals’ other goal in the second.
Kuznetsov set up Ovechkin’s tying goal 1:24 into the third with a perfect pass, then set up Johansson for a re-direct during a power play.
Ovechkin’s last goal was an empty-netter.
Braden Holtby finished with 25 saves and improved to 16-0-1 in his last 17 games. He has not lost in regulation since Nov. 10.
Brian Gionta and Zemgus Girgensons scored for Buffalo (15-8-4).
Top-line center Nicklas Backstrom and third-line center Jay Beagle each left the game in the second period with an unspecified injury and did not return.
This was the second part of a home-and-home series between the two teams. Washington won, 2-0, in Buffalo on Monday night.
Gionta’s first-period goal gave the Sabres an early lead, and goalie Chad Johnson helped Buffalo hold it until late in the second period despite heavy pressure from the Capitals.
Williams finally broke through with 5:52 left in the second. Johnson went behind his net to corral a loose puck and quickly tried to flip it away along the boards to teammate Zach Bogosian. Williams jumped in front, though, and picked it off. He quickly shot into the empty net to tie it.
The Sabres answered when Girgensons knocked in a loose puck from in front with 1:07 left in the period.
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