Sabres 3, Capitals 2 (OT)/Sunday Roundup

Box Score - Recap

Considering that the Buffalo News tabbed last night's game as having "the makings of a blowout Buffalo victory" and that the Sabres played most of their top players, Caps fans should be thrilled with their team's effort, if not the result, in the 3-2 overtime loss.

Particularly encouraging was the play of #1 goalie Olie Kolzig, who stopped all 21 shots he saw in his two periods of action. As Olie said in his typically understated manner, "All things considered, first game, new rules, not allowing any goals, it's a positive sign."

The Caps (0-2) got goals from Matt Pettinger (pp) and defenseman Bryan Muir. Buffalo got tallies from Ales Kotalik (pp) and a pair, including the OT game winner, from top rookie Tomas Vanek. Martin Biron played the entire game in goal for the host Sabres.

The WaPo's article is here and notes that Sunday is going to be cut day. And look at that - they're right! According to WashingtonCaps.com:

The Washington Capitals today assigned 20 players – goaltenders Frederic Cassivi and Kirk Daubenspeck; defensemen Dean Arsene, Jean-Francois Fortin, Martin Wilde, Mark Wotton and Dwayne Zinger; and forwards Tomas Fleischmann, Owen Fussey, Robin Gomez, Jonas Johansson, Boyd Kane, Brooks Laich, Eric Labelle, Jeff Legue, Jason Lehoux, Cam McCaffree, Graham Mink, Louis Robitaille and David Spina – to the Hershey Bears of the AHL, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced.

Of that group, only Fortin can be considered even a mild surprise, and even then the only person surprised will be Fortin himself.

The WTimes article on last night's game is here. The Buffalo News article on the game is here.

Saturday's Scoreboard:

• Simon Gagne scored three goals as the Flyers outscored the Thrashers 8-6.
• Rookie Rene Bourque scored a pair as the Blackhawks beat the Flames 3-2.
• Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored twice and Dwayne Roloson stopped all 20 shots he faced as the Wild converted the extra point to beat the Coyotes 7-0.
• Colorado beat Dallas 4-2 on a late Joe Sakic goal, the captain's second of the game.
• New King Jeremy Roenick helped out on three goals, including two by Alex Frolov, as the Kings beat the Ducks 4-2 at Staples Center.
  

In other news from around the League:

• There is none. It's Sunday. Go watch football.
• Update: The Thrashers have finally signed Peter Bondra. The Rink wishes him well... except for those eight games when he plays the Caps.