CAPS GAME NIGHT, GAME 19: Caps Look to Avenge Weekend Loss to Sabres

Buffalo Sabres (7-9-3-17, 4th NE) v. Washington Capitals (13-4-1-27, 1st SE)

7:00 pm, Verizon Center, Washington DC

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The Washington Capitals, winners of eight of their last ten games, look to avenge one of those losses, a 3-2 OT loss to the Buffalo Sabres Saturday night in Buffalo.  The defeat snapped a season-high six-game win streak for the Caps.

The Caps got right back to their winning ways, knocking off Atlanta at home on Sunday, extending a six-game home winning streak, and the Caps hope that streak doesn't suffer the same fate as the last one did.

The Sabres have won four of their last five games, all of which required extra time. 

Buffalo is led, as always, by their goaltender Ryan Miller.  The U.S. Olympic goalie returned two games ago from a hip injury which caused him to miss six games.  He picked up right where he left off, making 23 saves against the Caps and 36 saves in a 4-3 OT win against Vancouver Monday night.

Derek Roy paces the Sabres offense, with eight goals and 13 assists (+6), placing him tied for seventh in the league in scoring.

Coach Bruce Boudreau has toyed with his lines the last several games, and if this morning's skate is any indication, he plans to again tonight.  Rookie center Marcus Johansson was between Alex Ovechkin and Mike Knuble on the top line, with Nicklas Backstrom centering Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich.

Semin has an eight-game point streak entering tonight, the third-longest active streak in the league (Nicklas Lidstrom, Justin Williams) and tied with Alex Ovechkin for the longest by a Capital this season.

Tom Poti did not skate this morning as he continues to rehab a nagging lower body injury, and Tomas Fleischmann and D. J. King stayed out for extra skating, indicating they would be healthy scrathes.  Of Fleischmann sitting, Boudreau told reporters after practice, "It's his turn."

The Caps have averaged more than four goals per game over their last 11 contests, but have surrendered three or more in six of seven games since.

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LEADERS

BUF:  C Derek Roy (8-13-21, +6), LW Thomas Vanek (6-7-13, -3), G Ryan Miller (5-5-2, 2.64, .906)

WAS:  LW Alex Ovechkin (10-15-25, +6), LW Alexander Semin (13-10-23, +9), G Michal Neuvirth (11-3-0, 2.60, .910)

INJURIES

BUF:  D Craig Rivet (Flu-QUE), RW Patrick Kaleta (UBI-QUE)

WAS:  D Tom Poti (LBI-OUT)

STATS

BUF:  GF/G:  2.58 (22);  GA/G: 3.16 (24th)  PP: 10.8% (28th)  PK: 78.1% (23)  FO: 47.9% (27th)

WAS: GF/G 3.61 (1st);  GA/G: 2.61 (12th)  PP: 21.9% (7th)  PK: 84.2% (12th)  FO: 50.7% (12th)