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