NHL Game Preview - Washington at Buffalo

Sat Feb 23, 2019 1:00 PM EST

The Washington Capitals finish a six-game road trip in Buffalo on Saturday afternoon, hoping to continue their strong play from the past two games.

Washington beat Toronto 3-2 on Thursday night, a win that came after a 3-2 decision over Los Angeles on Monday. Earlier in the trip, the Capitals handed San Jose a 5-1 loss, so they have been playing better after struggling for about a month.

Against a strong Toronto team, the Caps got 40 saves from goalie Braden Holtby, a short-handed score from Tom Wilson and a power-play goal from Alex Ovechkin. That was the 650th goal of his career.

Washington got help from all places, and that's what it did en route to the Stanley Cup last season.

"Special teams was really important for us tonight," Capitals coach Todd Reirden said after the game. "Huge to get some big saves early from Holtby, and then to convert on the power play was big for us, and then obviously to get a short-handed one as well. That's a really good team win for us overall."

The Capitals on Thursday acquired left wing Carl Hagelin from the Kings, giving up two draft picks, including a third-rounder this year.

Hagelin, 30, has played on two Stanley Cup champions and has appeared in 121 postseason games. For his career, the Swede has 90 goals and 140 assists in 526 games.

Hagelin practiced with the team Friday and could suit up Saturday. He'll be counted on in the penalty-killing department, where the Capitals have had problems at times this season.

The team made another move Friday, acquiring defenseman Nick Jensen and a 2019 fifth-round pick from the Detroit Red Wings for defenseman Madison Bowey and a 2020 second-round pick. The Capitals then announced it had signed Jensen to a four-year, $10 million contract extension.

Reirden called Jensen, 28, a "little bit of a late bloomer" and said he was another addition that should help the team's penalty-kill unit. Jensen had 37 assists and six goals in three seasons with the Red Wings.

Also, forward Devante Smith-Pelly cleared waivers and was assigned to Hershey in the American Hockey League.

Buffalo is coming off a strong performance in a 2-1 shootout loss to Tampa Bay. The Sabres went 1-2-1 this season against the NHL's best team and gave the Lightning fits every time.

Buffalo coach Phil Housley said he was pleased with his team's effort.

"I just liked the desperation, urgency and the emotion that we brought to the game," Housley told reporters after the game. "Guys were playing for one another. Our D-zone coverage and our rush coverage was really, really solid against a really talented hockey team."

One question for the Sabres is who will be in goal against the Capitals. Carter Hutton played against Tampa Bay, making 39 saves while giving up only one goal.

He stepped in for Linus Ullmark, who was supposed to start the game. However, he "aggravated a minor injury during the team's morning skate," according to the team.

--Field Level Media