Tuch, Peterka score in shootout to lift Sabres over Capitals 4-3

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — 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.

Tage Thompson also scored for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 25 saves and stopped three of four shooters in the shootout to end their three-game losing skid. 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 kept off the scoresheet. He needs 23 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record of 894. He’s scored four times in six games since he returned to the lineup after missing 16 games with a broken leg.

Capitals: Washington lost in a shootout for the second time in three games. They also dropped a 4-3 decision to the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 2. They’re 2-0-2 in their past four games.

Sabres: Buffalo was able to prevent an extended losing streak with the win. Their previous skid lasted 13 games.

Peterka’s shootout winner came after he skated slowly to the right of Lindgren and snapped a shot that beat him low to his left-hand blocker side.

Thompson’s power-play goal was measured at 103.7 mph and is the hardest shot to result in a goal this season. Thompson also has the league’s hardest recorded shot this season of 106 mph.

The Capitals return home to face the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday while the Sabres head to Ottawa to take on the Senators on Thursday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

Washington Capitals left wing Pierre-Luc Dubois, center, tries to split the defense of Buffalo Sabres defensemen Owen Power, right, and Henri Jokiharju during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, left, tries to shield Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin off the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) controls the puck in front of Washington Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) pushes Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) over Capitals goalie Charlie Lindgren (79) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens, left, reaches for the puck as Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas loses his stick during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Washington Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, right, clears the puck off the line from behind goalie Charlie Lindgren during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch, left, celebrates after scoring as Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun, right,reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) — Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman made half centuries in a 112-run second-wicket partnership which helped New Zealand to 255-9 on Wednesday in the second one-day cricket international against Sri Lanka.

Ravindra made 79 from 63 balls and Chapman scored 62 from 52 balls as New Zealand achieved a testing total in a match reduced to 37 overs per side because of rain.

Maheesh Theekshana became the seventh Sri Lanka player to take an ODI hat-trick when he dismissed Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry with consecutive deliveries across two overs late in the innings.

Showers and a wet outfield delayed the start of play by two hours. When Sri Lanka won the toss it made the natural decision to bowl on a greenish pitch at Seddon Park with the possibility of more showers to come.

New Zealand lost Will Young for 16 and was 31-1 when Chapman joined Ravindra. Together they kept the score ticking over steadily, reaching their 50 partnership from 44 balls and their century partnership from only 79 deliveries.

The pair rotated the strike and worked the ball often into the onside where there were larger gaps in the field. Ravindra also hit well straight, showing he was in form with an early straight drive which was a perfect example of the shot.

There were signs Ravindra was coming into form when he hit 69 from 38 balls in the third Twenty20 between the teams and 45 from 36 balls in the first match of the ODI series on Sunday which New Zealand won by nine wickets.

He found his timing early on Wednesday and hit nine fours and a six. Chapman hit five fours and two sixes, playing with increasing confidence at No. 3.

Both players reached their half centuries with sixes, Ravindra from the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga and Chapman from Eshan Malinga.

Chapman fell first, caught at long-off from the bowling of off-spinner Theekshana, who shared the new ball with Asitha Fernando though the pitch at Seddon Park seemed likely to favor seam bowlers.

Ravindra looked set when he stepped back to cut a ball from Hasaranga behind point. He picked the wrong-un but his timing was off and he struck the ball to Charith Asalanka, who took an athletic catch at extra cover.

Sri Lanka bowled superbly after Ravindra's dismissal to limit New Zeaalnd's total. Daryl Mitchell made 38, Glenn Phillips 22 and Santner 20 but New Zealand couldn't get back on top of the bowling.

It was 168-3 when Ravindra was out after 23 overs but added only 87 runs in the last 14 overs.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Sri Lanka's Maheesh Theekshana bowls to New Zealand during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Will Young is bowled by Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, right, bats in front of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando, right, celebrates the wicket of New Zealand's Will Young, left, during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, right, bats in front of Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)

New Zealand's Mark Chapman, left, makes his ground as Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis takes the bails off during their one day international cricket match in Hamilton, New Zealand. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Andrew Cornaga/Photosport via AP)