The day after Thanksgiving was anything but kind to the Washington Capitals. Luckily for the Caps, they have a quick turnaround to turn things around Saturday when they face the Buffalo Sabres Saturday at First Niagara Center.
Friday, the Caps ended their three-game homestand in disappointing fashion with a 6-3 loss to the New York Rangers. The Rangers scored three unanswered goals in just over three minutes in the second period to take a 3-0 lead, one they would never relinquish despite the Caps' best efforts. Washington finished 2-1-0 on its week-long stay at Verizon Center.
Several of the Sabres' notable players, such as Tyler Myers, Tyler Ennis and Brad Boyes, are suffering from injuries and did not play in Friday's 5-1 loss to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. Quite arguably the most important member of the Sabres, Ryan Miller, is also out with a concussion he suffered November 12 when the Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic hit him while he was playing the puck. Miller is out indefinitely.
In Miller's place, Jhonas Enroth has started the last six games for the Sabres, but was pulled Friday after allowing four goals on 18 shots. Tomas Vokoun will likely start for Washington.
On an aesthetic note, the Caps will debut their "third jerseys," based on their Winter Classic jerseys from last season, Saturday. They will wear them on the road 16 times this season.