BUFFALO, N.Y. — T.J. Oshie had a goal and two assists in Peter Laviolette’s debut as Washington’s coach and the Capitals opened the season with a 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday night.
Jakub Vrana stripped Eric Staal of the puck in front of Buffalo’s net and scored 46 seconds into the third period to preserve the win after the Capitals were in jeopardy of squandering a 4-1 lead.
Vrana’s goal came 26 seconds after defenseman Jake McCabe cut Buffalo’s deficit to 4-3 by roofing a shot from the right point.
John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and assist each and Brenden Dillon also scored for the Capitals.
Taylor Hall, Tobias Rieder, Jake McCabe, and Victor Olofsson scored the goals for Buffalo.
Staal took a hit to the head from Washington's Nic Dowd in the third period and had to leave the game. Sabres coach Ralph Krueger did not offer update on Staal's condition, saying that he would be evaluated in the morning.
The Sabres face the Capitals again in Buffalo on Friday night.
