WASHINGTON (AP) – Richard Zednik and Bryan Muir scored 34 seconds apart during a four-goal first period and the Washington Capitals overcame Alex Ovechkin’s first career ejection in a 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday night.

Ovechkin scored his team-high 17th goal before being tossed in the second period. Matt Pettinger tallied twice, and Ben Clymer and John Eerskine also scored for the Capitals, who have won a season-high three straight.

Derek Roy, Chris Drury, Thomas Vanek and Drew Stafford had goals for Buffalo, which lost for only the second time in 13 road games. The six goals allowed were a season high for the Sabres, who had a two-game winning streak snapped.

Washington played the final 35:08 without Ovechkin, who was assessed a game misconduct for the first time in his two-year career after shoulder-checking Daniel Briere from behind into the boards near the Buffalo bench.

AP-ES-12-02-06 2257EST


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.