The Buffalo Sabres were on the road Saturday night to play the Washington Capitals and it would be the first game they were playing against former teammate Alex Tuch. He left this summer in a sign-and-trade for the Washington Capitals, in a move that has been highly scrutinized given how the Sabres have started the season.
Unfortunately for the Sabres, the inability to get a new deal done with their forward is what might have cost them two points, at least in this game. Tuch had two goals on the night, including the game-winner in overtime, as the Capitals won 4-3 in overtime over the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres shuffle their forward line but keep one intact, and they deliver
The Buffalo Sabres knew they were going to be without Jiri Kulich for this game after he sustained an injury in practice on Friday. They were going to need to change their lines, and they did so, with Jason Zucker and Josh Norris on the top line with Tage Thompson.
The shuffling of the forward lines is nothing new, as Lindy Ruff is trying to find some combination that can work. However, no matter how many times he changes them, he continues to keep the trio of Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, and Zach Benson together.
The Sabres' head coach continues to have trust in this line and they delivered once again for him as they each had one point. Jack Quinn and Noah Ostlund each had a goal, while Zach Benson added an assist.
It was another impressive performance from a line that has gotten off to a really good start this season.
Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson connect one more time on a goal
Over the years, Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson have connected countless times on goals as these two played a lot together on the same line. Even though they are now on opposite sides, the two connected one more time, but it is a goal that Thompson will want to forget.
In the first period, Alex Tuch was able to help win the puck on the forecheck and just tried to clear the puck out of the corner back to the center of the ice. Thompson was coming back to help on the play and had his stick down to try to block any passing lanes.
Tuchy out here using Sabres to score his goals even now pic.twitter.com/jM8LbHmKnL
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 24, 2026
Thompson would get his stick on the puck, but unfortunately it would bounce up and past Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the goal. For the Buffalo Sabres, they certainly hope that this will be the last time Thompson helps Tuch score a goal.
Buffalo Sabres had the lead after the first period but lost it in the second period
The Buffalo Sabres scored the first two goals of the game and were able to jump out to an early lead. Even after the Capitals got one back, the Sabres were able to hold that lead going into the first intermission. It is only the second time all season that the Sabres have had the lead after the first period.
Unfortunately, they struggled in the second period as the Capitals would score two in that middle period, and the Sabres once again found themselves behind going into the third period. The Sabres still have not had a lead going into the final period and now have a goal differential of -11 in the second period.
This is a notable change from what they were able to do last season and there was a lot of games that they were able to take control in that second period. They finished the season with a goal differential of +23 and they are going to have a lot of work if they hope to get back to that advantage this season.
Alex Tuch gets his revenge on the Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres would score in the third period to tie it up and eventually force it to overtime. They were guaranteed to leave Washington with at least one point, but former teammate Alex Tuch made sure they didn't get two, as he would score the game-winner.
In overtime, the Sabres were caught watching as all three players were focused on Dylan Strome behind the net. The Capitals forward was able to pass it right into the slot for a waiting Tuch, who beat Luukkonen for the goal.
The Sabres now head west for three games with the first on Tuesday night against the San Jose Sharks.
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