Just a few notes before the Caps and Sabres get underway in about an hour. Crowded roster situation for Washington, which recalled both goalie Michal Neuvirth and center Keith Aucoin from AHL Hershey. If Aucoin plays in place of Mattheiu Perreault (illness) and the other scratches are defenseman John Erskine and – of course – Michael Nyalnder…well, I’m trying to figure out how someone isn’t on injured reserve.
It’s possible Matt Bradley is just on paternity leave. His wife had a baby on Tuesday. But that still leaves one extra player. Semyon Varlamov to injured reserve? I’ll find out. As for Aucoin, he’s down to two games with the Caps before he’d have to clear waivers when they send him back down. Could be a quick trip back to the “A” for him tomorrow. Meanwhile, Caps have their best record ever after 30 games entering play tonight. And their defensmen – never a group that gets much praise – has held opponents to two goals or less in seven of the last eight games.
