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Buffalo Sabres PK has hit an all-time low in loss to Capitals

By Sion Fawkes

Mar 15, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) chases in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Jack Quinn (22) skates with the puck as Washington Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie (77) chases in the first period at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Buffalo Sabres walked away with a point, but thanks to a poor penalty kill, they were unable to finish the job against Washington. 

The Buffalo Sabres penalty kill unit ought to be ashamed of themselves. Already among the worst PK units in hockey, they played a major role in the Blue and Gold’s loss to the Washington Capitals, negating a season sweep against Alex Ovechkin and Company.

Even more disheartening? Buffalo jumped out to a two-goal lead, before T.J. Oshie put the Caps on the board just seconds into their first power play attempt. Buffalo eventually jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the third period, only for Ovechkin to bring the game within one.

A late penalty from Alex Tuch led to the Caps second power play goal of the evening, and it was the equalizer that sent the game into overtime. While the Sabres killed a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, it was too little, too late, as momentum within the building shifted in the Caps favor, and down went the Sabres in a shootout.

The Buffalo Sabres penalty kill is unbelievably bad

It was one of those frustrating losses where the Sabres had good looks all game long, yet goaltender Charlie Lindgren did just enough to stop Buffalo from putting Washington away. It was also a game where the Caps had an astounding 18 giveaways while Buffalo blocked 20 shots compared to Washington’s 13.

In short, Washington gave the Blue and Gold every chance to win this thing. Even the Sabres power play, which went 0 for 2, also had its fair share of good looks, but could not convert.

Overall, the Sabres played a decent game, and it was a contest they should have won if it wasn’t for an unbelievably poor penalty kill. What’s more? Coming into the game, the Caps power play ranked 20th in the league. So it’s not like Buffalo was facing a unit like the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs.

Related Story. Sabres: Alex Tuch’s impact has been sensational in 2022-23. light

If the Sabres are interested in winning close games like these, the good news is, they know exactly what they need to work on. The bad news? At this point in the season, I’m not sure if anyone in the organization is going to figure out how to fix it.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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