Alex Tuch scored twice, JJ Peterka had the deciding goal in the shootout and the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 on on Monday night.

In order to beat the No. 2 team in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres had to play well and I thought they did that, especially after a four game road trip, some late nights, some blown games and a flight home from Las Vegas on Sunday.

After Tuch's marker in the third round of the shootout, JJ Peterka scored the clinching goal in the next round. Following Peterka's goal, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made the save on Jakob Chychrun's attempt to seal the win for Buffalo, which had lost three straight games (0-2-1) after winning three in a row.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Alex Tuch scored twice ... Aliaksei Protas added a goal and an assist, and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Alex Tuch scored twice ... Aliaksei Protas added a goal and an assist, and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was kept off ...

Tuch also scored during the shootout. Tom Wilson scored twice, Aliaksei Protas added a goal and an assist, and Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves for the Capitals. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was ...

Peterka's 23:37 of ice time was the most that he's played in his 200 NHL games. The winger totaled five shots on goal with eight shot attempts, and he had two assists.