Cozens posts assist in NHL debut
By Herald on January 15, 2021.
Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (24) and Washington Capitals defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) battle in front of the net during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)BUFFALO – ASSOCIATED PRESS
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.
Making his NHL debut, former Lethbridge Hurricanes captain Dylan Cozens posted an assist on Buffalo’s second goal for his first pro point.
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 defenceman 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.
Ilya Samsonov stopped 22 shots in his first game as the Capitals’ starter following Braden Holtby’s off-season departure.
High-profile off-season free-agent addition Taylor Hall scored Buffalo’s first goal.
Hall and McCabe finished with a goal and an assist, and Tobias Rieder also scored for Buffalo.
Sabres’ Carter Hutton finished with 22 saves.
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