WASHINGTON -- The Sabres have an 11 a.m. optional skate today in the Verizon Center and we'll bring you the latest when it starts. The Capitals are skating this morning at their practice facility in Arlington, Va., so they won't be here downtown. We'll find out if there's any big news out of their workout.
Key update from Arlington: Braden Holtby confirmed he'll be tonight's goalie for the Caps
The Sabres have returned Travis Turnbull to Rochester, so that means either Nathan Gerbe or Patrick Kaleta (or both) will be in the lineup tonight. We'll see who Lindy Ruff is calling on.
The Sabres know tonight is a huge game but there's still five left after it. Look for the Derek Roy line to get the bulk of the work against Alex Ovechkin, who has goals in his last five games. Ovechkin hasn't scored in six straight since the 2008-09 season.
Here's today's Washington Post story on Ovechkin's resurgence.
More in a bit.
---Mike Harrington
(www.twitter.com/bnharrington)
