ERIE, Pa. (AP) _ Stu Barnes scored three third-period goals as the Buffalo Sabres remained unbeaten with a 5-1 exhibition victory over the Washington Capitals on Friday night.

The Sabres (7-0-0) scored four goals in the final 20 minutes, including the game-winner from Barnes just 26 seconds into the period. All five Buffalo goals came against Sebastien Charpentier, a rookie making his first NHL start.

Barnes snapped a 1-all tie with an unassisted goal on a rebound in front of the Washington net. Denis Hamel added a goal midway through the period before Barnes added two more power-play goals a little more than five minutes apart, his fourth and fifth goals of the preseason.

The Capitals (1-3-1) took a 1-0 lead on Uhf Dahlen's first period goal, and Buffalo tied it on Jason Wooley's goal in the second period.