Sabres thump Capitals to end Holtby's 22-game point streak
Braden Holtby fell one game short of tying a franchise record and had an abbreviated night as the Washington Capitals' five-game win streak came to an end in a 4-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
The Capitals goaltender was replaced by Philipp Grubauer in the second period after allowing three goals, ending a streak of 22 games in which the Capitals have recorded at least a point with Holtby in goal.
It had been more than 60 days since Holtby last lost in regulation.
A moment of reflection for Braden Holtby. Two months and 6 days since his last regulation loss. An incredible streak of 22 in a row.
— John Walton (@WaltonCaps) January 17, 2016
He allowed first-period markers by Philip Varone and Tim Schaller before letting a shot by Evander Kane trickle past him to give the Sabres a 3-0 lead in the second frame.
Related: Evander Kane's trickler chases Holtby
Holtby faced only 16 shots before being removed following Kane's ninth goal of the season.
The Sabres won for the third time in their last four games, while the Capitals lost for the first time since a 5-4 defeat in Columbus on Jan. 2.