Game 6
Buffalo Sabres (1-3-1) vs. Washington Capitals (3-0-2)
Puck Drop: 3:00 PM EST | Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: MSG
Radio: WGR 550
SB Nation Capitals Blog: Jasper’s Rink
Know Your Opponent
Washington Capitals
Record: (3-0-2) | 8 PTS
Division Ranking: 1st in East Division
PP: 16th (22.2%)
PK: 11th (83.3%)
1. Looking To Avoid A Sweep
In a shortened, accelerated season, points almost feel more important than ever.
Buffalo dropped their first matchup with Washington a few days ago. Coupled with the Sabres slow start this season, Sunday afternoon’s game almost feels like a must-win.
Can Buffalo avoid the sweep and get their second win of this young season? Only time will tell.
2. Washington Still Shorthanded
Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Dmitry Orlov, and Ilya Samsonov will still be out of the lineup due to the NHL’s Covid-19 protocols.
Despite the large absences last game, Washington was able to muster a victory in a shootout.
Buffalo should have been able to handle a relatively depleted Washington squad but unfortunately struggled to grab the extra point in the shootout.
3. Okposo’s Back
The season debut of Kyle Okposo appears to be upon us.
After starting the season on the injured list with a lower-body injury, Okposo is expected to step in the lineup on Sunday afternoon and begin his fifth season with the Buffalo Sabres.
Okposo’s first game of the season will go in the books as his 801st career NHL game and 272nd game with the Buffalo Sabres.
Projected Lineups
Buffalo Sabres
Forwards
Taylor Hall – Jack Eichel – Sam Reinhart
Victor Olofsson – Eric Staal – Dylan Cozens
Jeff Skinner – Curtis Lazar – Riley Sheahan
Tobias Rieder – Cody Eakin – Kyle Okposo
Defense
Jake McCabe – Rasmus Ristolainen
Rasmus Dahlin – Brandon Montour
Colin Miller – Henri Jokiharju
Starter: Linus Ullmark
Washington Capitals
Forwards
Jakub Vrana – Nicklas Backstrom – Tom Wilson
Richard Panik – Lars Eller – T.J. Oshie
Carl Hagelin – Nic Dowd – Garnet Hathaway
Daniel Sprong – Brian Pinho – Conor Sheary
Defense
Brenden Dillon – John Carlson
Jonas Siegenthaler – Justin Schultz
Zdeno Chara – Nick Jensen
Starter: Vitek Vanecek