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Capitals-Sabres Preview

Dec 8, 2009 - 6:44 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Washington (19-5-6) at Buffalo (16-9-2), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A two-game suspension didn't hinder Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin's momentum. Matchups with the Buffalo Sabres haven't rattled Ovechkin, either.

Following a successful return to the Capitals' lineup, Ovechkin looks to continue his success against the Sabres on Wednesday night.

Ovechkin was impressive after a one-week absence, scoring two goals to lead Washington (19-5-6) to a 3-0 win over Tampa Bay on Monday night. The Capitals have a six-game winning streak even though Ovechkin missed two games due to a suspension by the NHL following a kneeing penalty in a 3-2 win at Carolina on Nov. 30.

Despite the time off, Ovechkin looked sharp in increasing his goal total to 20 in 22 games.

"The first period I was just trying to get into the game," Ovechkin said. "I understand I didn't play for two games, so I think my teammates did a great job trying to get the puck to me."

Ovechkin seems to have a good opportunity to keep continue his strong play. He has eight goals and two assists in his last eight games versus the Sabres (16-9-2), who have lost two straight.

He will, though, likely have to contend with Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller, who leads the NHL with a 1.90 goals-against average.

Washington has certainly been happy with its own No. 1 goalie, Semyon Varlamov, who is 12-1-2 with a 2.21 GAA. He had 26 saves against the Lightning to earn his second shutout in four games, including a 2-0 victory over Buffalo on Nov. 25.

"I think the world will start to get to know him as the season progresses," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said of the 21-year old Varlamov, a first-round pick in 2006. "He's going to be a special athlete."

Varlamov got some help against Tampa Bay, with Shaone Morrison returning to add some more toughness to the blue line. He missed the previous eight games due to a concussion.

Buffalo was without defenseman Chris Butler (ankle) and right wing Mike Grier (personal reasons) in a 3-0 loss to New Jersey on Monday night, falling to 1-2 on a five-game homestand. There is no timetable for their return.

After allowing two goals or fewer in seven straight games, Miller made 34 saves against the Devils and got little help from a Sabres team bottled up by the Devils' forecheck.

Miller has helped Buffalo overcome its offensive shortcomings, but the Sabres have scored just one goal combined in losing their last two games and have been held to two goals or fewer in five of their last seven home games.

The Sabres haven't scored a power-play goal in their last four games, going 0 for 11.

Tim Connolly, whose 15 assists and 21 points tie him for the team lead with Derek Roy, has been held off the scoresheet in five straight games.