Game information/links
Game preview
Hold onto your forks, because the Capitals’ playoff hopes aren’t done for yet. After three Eastern Conference teams ahead of them in the standings suffered regulation losses in their preceding games, the Caps are still somewhat in the thick of things heading into tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
Buffalo enters tonight’s matchup on a high note after clinching their first playoff berth in 15 years. They’re 14-3-2 since the Olympic Break and a league-best 32-8-4 in their last 44 games since replacing GM Kevyn Adams with Jarmo Kekäläinen on Dec. 15, 2025.
One of those rare losses came against the Capitals during the two teams’ last meeting on March 12, which ended a Sabres eight-game winning streak. Charlie Lindgren had a Herculean performance — which actually was his last appearance in net. His most impressive moment came when he stopped 5 consecutive Tage Thompson one-timers during a Sabres’ power play late in the first period.
Aliaksei Protas will return to the Capitals’ lineup tonight, while Logan Thompson will make his 10th straight start.
Puck drop for Caps-Sabres is at 7 pm. Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin will have the call on Monumental Sports Network.
Today is the one-year anniversary of Alex Ovechkin’s 894th career goal.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Buffalo Sabres
Goalie matchup
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped. Wilson-PLD-McMichael and Fehervary-Sandin get the start.
Alex Ovechkin with the first shot of the game, jumping off the bench for Wilson and sending a hard shot from the middle of the ice.
Jack Quinn left wide open and nearly backhands a shot past Thompson. Loosey goosey in the D-zone to start.
Sneaking down to the left circle, Jakob Chychrun finds an Alex Ovechkin rebound and scores his 25th goal of the season.
1-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Jakob Chychrun (25). Assists: A. Ovechkin (29), P. Dubois (8). Time: 3:15
Turnover Sabres. Capitals score again. That’s two goals in 20 seconds.
2-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Dylan Strome (25). Assists: A. Protas (25), A. Ovechkin (30). Time: 3:35
Timeout Buffalo.
McMike finds the rebound! 3-0!! That’s three goals in 2:37.
3-0 Washington Capitals
Goal: Connor McMichael (11). Assists: J. Chychrun (34), P. Dubois (12). Time: 5:52
Colen Ellis (new goalie for Ovi) replaces Alex Lyon after giving up 3 goals on 5 shots.
Dahlin waltzes in and beats Thompson top shelf. The course correction is coming.
3-1 Washington Capitals
Goal: Rasmus Dahlin (18). Assists: J. Norris (18), A. Tuch (32). Time: 6:30
Connor McMichael and Tom Wilson can’t connect on a 2-on-1.
Beck Malenstyn scores agains his former team. Spencer Carbery appears to be fuming at the bench.
3-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Beck Malenstyn (7). Assists: J. Greenway (5), R. Dahlin (51). Time: 12:15
Ellis stops Ovechkin off a set play off a faceoff.
At intermission: The Caps lead 3-2 and their lead feels tenuous. Shots on goal are 13-11 Sabres.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
Sabres stretch pass, springs Quinn on a breakaway. He only had the right side of the net as a Capitals defender was closing, allowing LT to take everything away and turn him away with his left shoulder.
Hendrix Lapierre with a lift check, springing himself on a breakaway. But he can’t finish the play as Dahlin pushes him off balance.
Tom Wilson dives to draw a penalty lol. He was laughing after he fell to the ice and he heard the whistle go.
Power play
Jack Quinn interference penalty at 4:21 (2 mins)
And here comes the makeup call. The two teams will go 4-on-4 for over a minute.
Penalty kill
Ryan Leonard tripping penalty at 5:08 (2 mins)
Big Pro calls his own number on a 2-on-1 and beats Ellis.
4-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Aliaksei Protas (24). Unassisted. Time: 6:06
Caps kill the Sabres brief power play, though Buffalo was really dangerous there.
Penalty kill
Dylan Strome tripping penalty at 10:58 (2 mins)
Sabres get a 5v3 for 36 seconds.
Penalty kill
Connor McMichael tripping penalty at 12:22 (2 mins)
Caps kill both penalties. Huge.
PLD draws a penalty as he forechecks in the offensive zone.
Power play
Mattias Samuelsson hooking penalty at 19:42 (2 mins)
At intermission: The Capitals lead 4-2. Shots are 29-18 Sabres.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped. Can the Capitals hold on here?
Caps can’t kill on the power play.
TVR hauls Zack Benson down. Big power play for the Sabres.
Penalty kill
TVR hooking penalty at 3:13 (2 mins)
Unbelievable individual plays by Hutson and Leonard to score there.
5-2 Washington Capitals
Goal: Ryan Leonard (16). Assists: C. Hutson (5), J. Sourdif (18). Time: 6:26
Penalty kill
Cole Hutson hooking penalty at 8:32 (2 mins)
A Tom Wilson shorty after a brilliant setup feed by Connor McMichael.
6-2 Washington Capitals
SHG: Tom Wilson (29). Assists: C. McMichael (30). Time: 8:55
Benson and Fehervary get misconducts after a melee toward the end of the game.
Capitals win 6-2 and get more help around the league to stay in the playoff chase. LT makes 37 saves on 39 shos.
Caps beat Sabres 6-2: yeah, no cap, that’s an actual score from the 2025-26 Caps
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