Buffalo Sabres rally for 4-3 shootout win over Washington Capitals

The Buffalo Sabres finally broke through in the shootout, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on November 1, 2025, at KeyBank Center. After struggling in skills competitions all season, the Sabres delivered when it mattered most, with Bowen Byram providing the decisive goal and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stonewalling every Washington attempt in both overtime and the shootout. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Buffalo while extending Washington’s skid to four consecutive defeats.

This was more than just a win for the Sabres—it was a statement of resilience. Following their intense matchup earlier in the week, Buffalo demonstrated the kind of mental fortitude that had eluded them in previous close games. The shootout victory represented a turning point for a team desperate to find its identity in a challenging season.

How the Buffalo Sabres earned their first shootout win against the Capitals in a dramatic fashion

The game began disastrously for Buffalo as Washington’s Dylan Strome struck just 1:07 into the opening period on his first shift back from a lower-body injury. Strome stormed through a 1-on-4 possession, working a give-and-go with rookie Ryan Leonard before firing past Luukkonen to give the Capitals an early lead. The Finnish netminder barely had time to settle into his crease before facing another challenge.

Just over a minute later, Washington doubled their advantage. Aliaksei Protas deflected the puck and rushed on a breakaway opportunity before connecting with Connor McMichael. The two forwards executed a perfectly timed give-and-go, with Protas finishing the play to make it 2-0 Capitals at the 2:15 mark. The KeyBank Center crowd fell silent as their team faced an early two-goal deficit.

The Sabres refused to fold under pressure. Alternate captain Tage Thompson cut the deficit to one goal, drilling a shot from the middle of the seam following a Jason Zucker forecheck. The goal ignited Buffalo’s offense and shifted the momentum squarely in their favor. Thompson’s ability to find scoring lanes in high-traffic areas proved crucial throughout the night.

Buffalo continued pressing, and Alex Tuch delivered the equalizer with a muscular effort through John Carlson’s defense. Josh Doan intercepted the puck and fed it to the striding Tuch on an odd-man rush. The veteran forward buried the opportunity to tie the game at 2-2, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. The Sabres had completely erased Washington’s early dominance.

The first period fireworks weren’t finished. Jack Quinn dropped the puck to Isak Rosen, who rifled home his first career NHL goal to give Buffalo a 3-2 lead heading into intermission. The rookie’s shot hit Martin Fehervary before finding the net, marking a memorable milestone in what would become an unforgettable night for the young Swedish forward.

Washington’s resilience and Sonny Milano’s breakthrough moment in the shootout battle

The second period settled into a defensive chess match, with both teams tightening up their coverage. Charlie Lindgren made several critical saves for Washington, including a glove stop on a Mattias Samuelsson shot from the high slot and a point-blank denial of a Josh Doan forehand attempt. The Capitals’ goaltender needed to be sharp to keep his team within striking distance.

Sonny Milano provided Washington with a lifeline, scoring the game-tying goal off a rebound from the front of the net to make it 3-3. The goal ended a 567-day drought for Milano, who hadn’t scored since April 13, 2024. According to The Hockey Writers’ game coverage, the deflection goal represented a breakthrough for the veteran forward who has struggled with injuries throughout his career. Milano’s celebration was subdued but meaningful, acknowledging the long road back to finding the scoresheet.

The third period featured a parade to the penalty box, with referees Garrett Rank and Liam Maaskant awarding Washington three power play opportunities. Despite the man-advantage situations, the Capitals’ struggling power play unit failed to convert. The team’s special teams woes have become a significant concern, with inconsistent zone entries, poor passing execution, and a general lack of finishing ability plaguing their chances. As Russian Machine Never Breaks reported, Washington did “positively butt” with their power play opportunities, squandering prime scoring chances.

Tom Wilson’s night was particularly eventful. The physical forward assisted on Protas’ first-period goal but then accumulated 19 penalty minutes before intermission. Wilson received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for verbal sparring with former teammate Beck Malenstyn, then immediately jumped into a fight with Jordan Greenway after the latter delivered an illegal check to the head of Declan Chisholm. Wilson’s protective instincts kicked in, defending his teammate Jakub Chychrun in the ensuing scrum.

Chisholm was pulled from the game by the concussion spotter but eventually returned to action, providing some relief for a Washington defensive corps already dealing with various injury concerns. The physical nature of the third period set the stage for a tense overtime session where emotions would continue to run high.

Overtime drama and the Buffalo Sabres’ first shootout win as Byram delivers

The five-minute overtime period belonged almost entirely to Washington in terms of puck possession. The Capitals controlled the play, bombarding Luukkonen with scoring chances from all angles. Alex Ovechkin, stuck on 899 career goals, fired three shots but couldn’t find the back of the net. One of his attempts nearly resulted in a shorthanded goal for Buffalo, highlighting the Great Eight’s struggles to reach the 900-goal milestone.

Luukkonen stood tall during the onslaught, making spectacular saves to preserve the tie. His positioning and rebound control proved impeccable as Washington threw everything at him. The Finnish goaltender’s performance in overtime set the foundation for what would become his signature moment of the season. Every save built his confidence for the impending shootout.

Protas rang iron in the second period—the 19th time the Capitals had narrowly missed a goal in the young season, with only five teams recording more near-misses. These small margins proved decisive in a game where every shot carried enormous weight. The psychological impact of hitting posts rather than scoring goals cannot be understated in a tightly contested battle.

Ovechkin even took a faceoff in the third period, a rare occurrence that highlighted Washington’s desperation to generate offense. The future Hall of Famer typically avoids draws, preferring to save his energy for his lethal one-timer from the left circle. His willingness to step into the faceoff dot demonstrated the team’s collective understanding that everyone needed to contribute in all facets of the game.

The decisive shootout that secured the Buffalo Sabres’ breakthrough victory

The shootout began with Buffalo’s Jack Quinn failing to convert, followed by Washington’s Dylan Strome missing his opportunity. Tage Thompson couldn’t beat Lindgren, nor could Anthony Beauvillier solve Luukkonen. Alex Tuch hit the post, extending the shootout and increasing the tension inside KeyBank Center. Connor McMichael then failed to capitalize for Washington.

Rasmus Dahlin stepped up for Buffalo but couldn’t find the net. Then came Alex Ovechkin’s turn—the superstar’s opportunity to reach 900 goals in dramatic fashion. Luukkonen denied the Russian sniper, keeping the shootout alive and setting the stage for heroics. The Sabres faithful held their collective breath as Bowen Byram approached the slot.

Byram, who had been acquired from Colorado to bolster Buffalo’s defensive depth and offensive production from the blue line, calmly skated in and fired a wrist shot that swooped past Lindgren. The puck crossed the goal line, and KeyBank Center erupted. The defenseman’s goal put immense pressure on Washington’s final shooter, Ryan Leonard, who needed to score to extend the competition.

Luukkonen, who had already made 31 saves through regulation and overtime, denied Leonard’s attempt to secure the victory. The Finnish netminder had stopped every single Washington shootout attempt, displaying the kind of calm composure that championship goalies exhibit in pressure situations. For a team that had struggled mightily in shootouts throughout the season, this performance represented a watershed moment.

The victory improved Buffalo’s record and provided much-needed momentum heading into their next contest. Similar to how they snapped the Detroit Red Wings’ five-game winning streak earlier, the Sabres showed they could win close games against quality opponents. The mental hurdle of winning in a shootout had finally been cleared.

What the Buffalo Sabres’ first shootout win means for both teams moving forward

For Buffalo, this victory represented more than two points in the standings. The Sabres had been searching for an identity all season, struggling to close out tight games and often appearing fragile in high-pressure moments. Breaking through in the shootout against a quality opponent like Washington could serve as a catalyst for building sustained success. Young players like Isak Rosen, who scored his first NHL goal, gained invaluable experience in a meaningful game situation.

Luukkonen’s performance solidified his status as the team’s number-one goaltender. His ability to make crucial saves in overtime and then shut down every shootout attempt demonstrated the kind of backbone Buffalo needs to compete in the competitive Atlantic Division. The confidence boost from this type of performance often carries over into subsequent games, potentially sparking a winning streak.

The Capitals, conversely, face serious concerns after dropping their fourth consecutive game. Their power play continues to malfunction at the worst possible times, failing to convert on three third-period opportunities that could have sealed the victory. The team’s inability to finish scoring chances—epitomized by their league-leading rate of hitting posts and crossbars—has become a disturbing pattern that requires immediate attention.

Charlie Lindgren’s struggles in goal have also emerged as a storyline worth monitoring. After allowing three first-period goals, the veteran netminder settled down but couldn’t make the critical save in the shootout. His expected goals against numbers suggest he’s allowing more goals than league-average goaltenders would on similar shot profiles, raising questions about whether Washington needs to rely more heavily on their backup option.

Buffalo’s next challenge comes against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday, while Washington hosts the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday. The Sabres will look to build on this momentum and perhaps string together consecutive victories for the first time this season. The Capitals, meanwhile, must use their three-day break to address their systemic issues, particularly on special teams and in finishing chances around the net. How both teams respond to this dramatic shootout will reveal much about their character and championship aspirations for the remainder of the season.