Washington at Buffalo

Washington is off a nice 2-0 win over Boston and now heads to a bad Buffalo team. Washington is incredibly balanced, eighth in the NHL in goals scored, fifth in goals allowed, and second on the power play. Nicklas Backstrom leads the NHL with 53 assists, including seven in his last seven games. They are motivated as the Capitals own the first wild-card spot. Buffalo is 30th in goals scored, 29th in goals allowed, and 30th on the power play. The Sabres' minus-1.53 differential is the worst since the 1999-00 Atlanta Thrashers posted a minus-1.74. The Sabres are 16-36 in their last 52 home games, plus 14-45 against the Eastern Conference. Play Washington.