With postseason hopes fading, Capitals face uphill climb vs. Sabres

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.