Gameday: at Buffalo, Feb. 20

Matt Bradley celebrates during a 4-2 win over the Sabres.

The Washington Capitals are in Buffalo, New York, this afternoon for a contest with the Sabres that will be aired nationally on NBC. The Capitals report for duty this afternoon with 70 points in 59 games, which is good enough for fifth in the Eastern Conference and second place in the Southeast Division.  The Sabres, on the other hand, come into tonight with 60 points in 57 games, which puts them ninth in the Conference and third in the Northeast Division.  The teams have split their two meetings this year, and this is the third of four between the two sides.  The Sabres won 3-2 at HSBC Arena in early Novemver, and then the Capitals won 4-2 later that month at Verizon Center.

Buffalo bench boss Lindy Ruff is expected to start workhorse Ryan Miller in nets for his squad.  After his Vezina Trophy winning campaign last year, Miller is having a down year by his standards with a 2.74 GAA and a .910 save percentage.  Despite these below average numbers, however, Miller is an outstanding goaltender who is capable of stealing a game on any given day. Beating him will be a tall task for the sputtering Capitals offense.

Bruce Boudreau is expected to roll with Semyon Varlamov in nets for his team after Michal Neuvirth lost in San Jose on Thursday night.  Varlamov only lasted a period in his last start, giving up 3 goals on 9 shots to the Ducks on Wednesday. Nevertheless, Varly is still in the top ten in the league in GAA and save percentage and is having a great season to date.  There is no word yet on whether or not Mike Green will play for the Caps; the star defenseman has missed the last two games with inner ear trauma.  Eric Fehr is not expected to play either, and DJ King will be the healthy scratch up front for the Capitals.

Puck drops for this one 12:37-ish.  Check back after the game.