Alexander Ovechkin created something out of nothing, as he often does, and Semyon Varlamov recorded his first career regular-season shutout as the Washington Capitals defeated the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 on Wednesday night.
On the first shot of the game, Ovechkin notched his 17th goal of the season, whirling into the Buffalo end and firing a wrist shot from the right circle past Ryan Miller's blocker.
Ovechkin would have a few more chances before drawing a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct early in the third for a hit on Patrick Kaleta.
The Sabres couldn't capitalize on either that or a Mike Green penalty, and Eric Fehr soon notched an insurance marker for Washington (14-5-6).
"You lose the most prolific scorer on the planet Earth, which is tough," said Washington defenceman Brian Pothier. "But you have to kill a five-minute penalty. As Ovie's skating off the ice, we're telling him, 'We've got this one for you.'
"He does so much for our team. Every night, he bails us out. We could sure do it for him."
Breakthrough after 19 games
Varlamov made 25 saves. The Russian, who recorded two shutouts in the playoffs for the Capitals in the spring, marked his first regular-season shutout in 19 career games.
"The defence played great, as well as our forwards," Varlamov said through a translator. "Toward the end of the game, we just held back. We needed to."
Ryan Miller, who had a 5-0 career mark in Washington, made 22 saves but wasn't helped by his teammates.
Buffalo has been outscored 16-5 in losing four straight (0-3-1).
"As a team, we're having a tough time finding the back of the net," said Buffalo forward Jason Pominville. "That's when you have to dig deeper and get those ugly goals and just outwork them around the crease. I just don't think we're doing a good enough job at it so far."
Ovechkin s goal marked the 19th time in 24 games that the Capitals struck first.
Miller helped prevent a late first-period goal that would have deflated Buffalo, stopping Tomas Fleischmann on a 2-on-1 break.
The Sabres had just six shots in the second. Thomas Vanek had Varlamov in a vulnerable spot but couldn't take advantage.
At the other end, Fehr's point-blank attempt was muzzled by Miller.
Varlamov had to stand firm in the waning seconds of the period. Clarke MacArthur sped down the left side and dished the puck out front to set up a mad scramble.
Buffalo had a golden opportunity after the Ovechkin infraction, but Sabres defenceman Craig Rivet took a tripping penalty to chew up two minutes.
After the game, Ovechkin still didn't think it warranted an ejection. His only other banishment also came against Buffalo nearly three years ago, with a hit-from-behind on former Sabre Daniel Briere, sparking a number of fights between the clubs.
"I just go take a hit and [Kaleta] just fell into the boards. … it's got to be two minutes," Ovechkin said.
Derek Roy had the best chance to tie the game for the Sabres, one-timing a pass from the slot that Varlamov stopped with this shoulder.
Brendan Morrison made it nine points in 10 games by skating behind the Buffalo net and setting up Fehr's fourth at 13:38.
Buffalo (12-7-2) didn't stop trying, with Paul Gaustad and Rivet foiled yet again by Varlamov as the clock wound down.
Montreal next for Capitals
The Capitals, who will play in Montreal on Saturday (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7:00 p.m. ET), won for the first time in four games.
A moment of silence was observed before the game for Abe Pollin, who died earlier this week at the age of 85. Pollin helped bring the Capitals into the NHL as a franchise team in 1974, selling them in 1999 to current owner Ted Leonsis.
With files from The Associated Press
