There was some disappointment heading into the Buffalo Sabres' game against Washington. Alexander Ovechkin, the NHL's reigning Most Valuable Player, was in Russia attending to family matters. The fans were deprived of seeing the Hart Trophy winner and one of the league's most fascinating players.

But there was no disappointment heading out of the game. Why should there have been? The folks who filled HSBC Arena saw another stellar performance by the man who might be the next MVP.

Thomas Vanek is having a season that's beginning to border on ludicrous. He scored twice Saturday night, leading to the Sabres to a 5-0 victory. Vanek became the first player to reach double digits in goal scoring this season, recording his 10th and 11th goals in the Sabres' 11th game.

"He's really answered the bell," center Derek Roy said. "He's just got to keep that going and keep that momentum and carry it through the whole season."

The Sabres' $50 million man has been on the money from the first drop of the puck. He's scoring even-strength goals (five). He's scoring short-handed (two). He's scoring on the power play (four). He's scoring game-winners (two), including Saturday's just 1:12 into the game.

"I'm just feeling good, trying to put the puck on net and they're going in right now," Vanek said.

He has one NHL First Star of the Week award to his credit, and it would be a surprise if he's not named Player of the Month. If he stays even close to his pace of 82 goals, he could join Dominik Hasek as the only Sabre named Player of the Year.

"Thomas is showing he's a great player," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "He's really been a good two-way player. He's getting in the way on the defensive side. He's getting the pucks back for us. He's creating. It's good to see. It's a lot of what the best players in the league have to do now. They have to be all-around, and I think he's starting to mature into that."

Vanek has gotten attention throughout his career, but rarely has it come this early. He's a notorious slow starter. His 11th goal last season didn't come until Dec. 22, in the Sabres' 34th game. Goal No. 12 came Jan. 6 as the Sabres took the ice for the 40th time.

If it takes him that long this year to reach a dozen, it means somebody stole his sticks.

"I just want to keep cashing in on my opportunities," he said. "I feel pretty good about my game right now. I still want to get to the next level, and I still have a ways to go."

Vanek's goals Saturday showed he's just a step ahead of everyone this year. He gave Buffalo its 1-0 lead as the crowd settled in by blowing past defenseman Mike Green. He made it 4-0 with 2.9 seconds left in the second when he streaked into the Capitals' zone, kept his eye on a deflected puck and backhanded it home.

Vanek has long been a player who's better when he's feeling confident. Obviously, his outlook is bright. It's why he's comfortable trying plays others might not even dream up.

For the second time in a week, Vanek got the puck near the side of the net and made a jaw-dropping play. He backed in, put his stick between his legs and got a shot off. He did it against Colorado, and he did it against the Caps. They didn't go in, but creating chances when none were evident was impressive nonetheless.

"It's a play I've been working at because it's tough to turn around," Vanek said. "It's a good way to get the puck on the net, and when you get it on net you never know what happens."

As good as Vanek was Saturday, the blowout wasn't a one-man effort. Miller bounced back from an off outing with 29 saves for his eighth career shutout. Roy, Jason Pominville and Daniel Paille added a goal each, and 10 players total made the score sheet.

The victory closed what had been a forgettable homestand. The Sabres suffered back-to-back 5-2 losses as their winless streak reached three (0-2-1). But they head to New Jersey for Monday's game with the cheers of a content crowd ringing in their ears.

"We definitely looked a lot sharper," said Miller, who credited his teammates with the shutout. "It's a goaltender stat, but as a team we're trying to improve our goals-against [average] and we're trying to be good on the penalty kill, and this is something they can look to and be proud of."