JJ Peterka was the difference in the fourth round of the shootout and the Buffalo Sabers held off a comeback from the Washington Capitals to win 4-3 at KeyBank Center on Monday.
The Sabers were clinging to a 3-2 lead when Aliaksei Protas sent everyone into overtime at 15:47 of the third period, redirecting a pass from John Carlson in front of the net.
Alex Tuch, with a double, and Tage Thompson scored in regulation, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves for the Sabers (15-21-5), who ended a three-game losing streak (0-2 -1). Tuch also hit the target in a shootout.
Tom Wilson scored twice and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals (26-10-4), who picked up at least a point in a fourth straight game (2-0-2). Defenseman Carlson had two assists, and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored in the shootout.
Tuch opened the scoring at 4:42 of the first period when a Peterka shot from the right circle hit him before entering the net.
Wilson tied the game 1-1 at 6:10 on a power play. In the slot, he completed a delivery from defender Jakob Chychrun during a counter-attack.
Tuch gave the Sabers a one-goal lead again 1:07 into the second period. He took the puck from Chychrun at the blue line in his own territory, before running away and beating Lindgren on a breakaway.
Wilson did it again, tying the score 2-2 at 11:29. He jumped on a return shot from Protas in front of the goal.
Thompson catapulted a pass from defenseman Rasmus Dahlin to the left circle on the power play at 12:49 to make it 3-2 Sabres.
The Sabers had a 5-3 advantage in shots in overtime.
