Game #37
Caps (22-8-6, 50 points) vs. Buffalo Sabres (22-10-3, 47 points)
Caps return home from a road trip to play three in a row over the holidays, starting with tonight’s game against the Sabres. It’s a welcome respite from almost a month on the road. Washington has played 13 of its last 17 away from Verizon Center. That changes for the next five weeks with 12 of 19 games at home.
Caps – currently third in the Eastern Conference – were shut out by Buffalo and goalie Ryan Miller on Dec. 9, 3-0. Miller was brilliant in that win and continues to lead the NHL in save percentage (.938) and goals-against average (1.89). Buffalo has a comfortable lead in the Northeast Division. The Sabres are right behind the Caps at fourth in the conference.
Look for rookie Michal Neuvirth in goal tonight as the Caps get him some work before he’s likely sent back to AHL Hershey when Semyon Varlamov (groin) returns next week. Washington and Buffalo have split two games this season. Varlamov posted a shutout of his own on Nov. 25. Caps are 10-2-3 at Verizon Center this season
