The Capitals make their only trip to KeyBank Center this season when they face the Buffalo Sabres tonight at 7 p.m. It marks the second of three games between the teams this season. The Capitals defeated the Sabres 4-2 on Dec. 14 at Capital One Arena behind a two-goal effort from Tom Wilson and a three-assist performance by John Carlson. Washington and Buffalo will complete their season series on March 30 in D.C. The Capitals are 6-3-1 in their last 10 contests at KeyBank Center.
Capitals defensemen combined for six assists in Saturday’s 7-4 win over the New York Rangers, which marked the third time this season Washington blueliners recorded six or more points in a game (Nov. 30 at New Jersey: 2g-5a–7p; Nov. 9 at St. Louis: 2g-4a–6p). On Jan. 2 vs. Minnesota, Martin Fehervary scored his first goal of the season. It marked the 20th goal by a Capitals defenseman, matching the team’s total from all of last season. Capitals defensemen have combined for 101 points (20g, 81a) this season, which is the third-highest total in the NHL.
Last season, Washington ranked 30th in the NHL in scoring by defensemen (20g-115a–135p in 82 GP).
2025 WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Capitals prospects Ryan Leonard (2023 Draft, 1st round, 8th overall) and Cole Hutson (2024 Draft, 2nd round, 43rd overall) won gold with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Sunday, defeating Finland 4-3 in overtime in the gold medal game. The pair helped Team USA win back-to-back World Junior gold medals for the first time ever.
Leonard, the U.S. captain, was named tournament MVP and Best Forward after recording 10 points (5g, 5a) in seven games. Hutson, who finished as the tournament leader in points (3g-8a–11p in 7 GP) and plus-minus (+11), was named to the Media All-Star Team.
Leonard recorded two primary assists in the gold medal game, while Hutson had one assist and scored the game-tying goal in the second period to help the Americans overcome a 3-1 deficit. Hutson’s goal, which was assisted by Leonard, came with 28.7 second remaining in the period.
With 11 points in seven games, Hutson broke Team USA’s single-tournament scoring record for a defenseman and is the first defenseman in World Junior Championship history to lead the tournament in scoring outright (h/t Chris Peters).
Leonard, a two-time World Junior gold medalist, has recorded 16 points (8g, 8a) in 14 career World Junior games, including eight points (4g, 4a) in six elimination games, five points (2g, 3a) in four medal round games and three points (1g, 2a) in two gold medal games.
Petr Sikora (2024 Draft, 6th round, 178th overall) won the bronze medal with Czechia Sunday and finished the tournament with seven points (4g, 3a) in seven games and a +10 plus-minus rating.
