The Washington Capitals will look to bolster their flickering playoff aspirations on Thursday when they visit the Buffalo Sabres.
The high-scoring Sabres, in turn, are roaring toward the postseason and will be looking for their ninth straight win.
After ending a three-game losing streak with an impressive 7-3 win against the Calgary Flames on Monday, the Capitals dropped a 4-1 decision at the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.
Ryan Leonard converted on the power play to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead after one period before the Flyers scored four straight goals.
Logan Thompson made 18 saves for Washington, which trails the Boston Bruins by seven points for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
“I think they pressed us pretty good to start the second period,” Capitals defenseman Matt Roy said. “Obviously they had a few breaks and got momentum. I thought we did a good job battling back and we had our … chances, but we just didn’t capitalize.”
Washington continues to have trouble igniting its offense. Minus the seven-goal outburst against the Flames, the Capitals have scored two goals or fewer in four of their past five games — all losses.
“Overall, I thought we played hard, I thought we were right there,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “We’re not making enough plays. Tonight, just with the puck, we left a lot on the table. … We had a lot of misplays with the puck. Just got to be better with our execution.”
Defenseman Timothy Liljegren, acquired Friday in a trade with the San Jose Sharks, played 14:48 and blocked four shots in his Capitals debut.
The Sabres extended their winning streak with a 6-3 victory against the visiting Sharks on Tuesday.
Jack Quinn ended a 12-game goal drought with his first NHL hat trick. He also added an assist.
“I think after the (Olympic) break I was actually playing pretty good and our line was having a ton of chances,” Quinn said. “It’s just we weren’t producing a ton, or at least I wasn’t. It was nice to turn the corner tonight.”
Quinn, who has 43 points, has exceeded his previous career-best point total of 39. His 15 goals this season matched his career high, set in 2024-25.
“He has such a knack for scoring, such a gift to be able to do it,” teammate Beck Malenstyn said of Quinn. “He contorts his body in ways that I think my back would go out if I tried to, and what he can put on the puck is just incredible.”
Jason Zucker scored and set up a goal on Tuesday. Captain Rasmus Dahlin and Ryan McLeod each had three assists for the Sabres.
Scoring has not been a problem for Buffalo, which is averaging a robust 4.5 goals per game during the streak. The Sabres are approaching their longest winning streak of the season, a 10-game run from Dec. 9-31.
Buffalo forward Tage Thompson’s 11-game point streak came to a halt against San Jose.
Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is 6-1-2 with a 2.89 goals-against average (GAA) and .905 save percentage in nine career games versus Washington.
Charlie Lindgren is expected to start for the Capitals on Thursday. He is 2-2-2 with a 3.38 GAA and .876 save percentage the Sabres.
The Sabres won the first meeting between the teams, 4-3 in a shootout on Nov. 1. The teams meet again on April 4 in Washington, D.C.
