It's only fitting that the Buffalo Sabres stampeded at some point.
Nicklas Backstrom's early goal gave the Washington Capitals a 2-0 lead, but a push by the Sabres during the second half of the period has them down 2-1 after 40 minutes.
Backstrom's 13th goal of the season came in highlight reel fashion. Alexander Semin started the play by stealing the puck and passing to Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin cut through the middle of the offensive zone and passed to Roman Hamrlik, who was waiting on the left boards. Hamrlik then sent a cross-ice pass to Semin, who quickly cut the puck back to Backstrom in the slot. Ryan Miller had no chance as he slid across the crease expecting a shot from Semin. Backstrom had a wide open net and his 100th career goal at 3:52.
Jochen Hecht cut the Caps' lead in half at 15:02 when he jumped on the loose rebound from Thomas Vanek's shot from the slot and put it past a sprawling Tomas Vokoun for his fourth goal of the season.
After being outshot 11-2 in the first period, the Sabres held a 15-6 shot advantage in the second period.