The Washington Capitals are on the road to take on the Buffalo Sabres. Washington won the Metropolitan Division last season but lost in five games in the opening round to the Islanders. Washington finished last season with a 41-20-8 record. Last season, the Capitals finished second in the league in scoring with 3.42 goals a game and they allowed 3.07 goals. The offense was led by Alex Ovechkin with 48 goals and 67 total points. John Carlson led the team in total points with 15 goals and 60 assists for 75 points. Between the pipes, Ilya Samsonov finished last season with a 16-6-2 record with a 2.55 GAA, and a .913 save percentage. Braden Holtby left in free agency and now Samsonov will likely share the net with Craig Anderson.

Buffalo missed the playoffs for the ninth straight season, finishing sixth in the Atlantic Division standings. Buffalo posted a 30-31-8 record last season. The Sabres put up 2.80 goals a game and they gave up 3.12 goals. The offense was led by Jack Eichel with 36 goals and 42 assists for 78 total points. Sam Reinhart added 22 goals and Victor Olofsson had 20 goals. Between the pipes, Linus Ullmark posted a 17-14-3 record with a 2.69 GAA, and a .915 save percentage.

The Capitals are 7-2-1 in the last 10 meetings though they split a pair of contests a season ago. In the most recent matchup, it was Buffalo taking a 3-2 shootout win at home on March 9, 2020. Washington is just the better team in this one.

Play on Washington.