Buffalo @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2019 ) Washington 2, Buffalo 5

A pair of teams off to superb starts will square off when the surprising Buffalo Sabres visit the Washington Capitals on Friday night. The Capitals navigated a road-heavy schedule to establish a franchise record with 21 points in October and surge to the top of the Metropolitan Division while Buffalo is in a first-place tie with Boston atop the Atlantic.

The Sabres have lost two of three following an 8-1-1 start, absorbing their first loss at home in a 3-2 shootout to Arizona on Monday -- the team's 13th game in 26 days. "It's been quite a month, quite a pace," coach Ralph Krueger said after the loss. "Overall, when we take a deep breath tomorrow and look at the month, we're going to be pleased at what's happened here." Washington is riding a seven-game point streak (6-0-1) after completing a 4-0-1 road trip with a 4-3 overtime win in Toronto on Tuesday -- its third straight game that went beyond regulation. "It was a pretty amazing road trip when you take a look back at it," coach Todd Reirden said. "It's really important now that we take some of this momentum from this trip and take it home with us."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet, MSG-Buffalo, NBCS Washington

ABOUT THE SABRES (9-2-2): Forward Jimmy Vesey, sidelined the past two games due to an upper-body injury, was back at practice Thursday and is listed as day-to-day, although Krueger said he is unlikely to play against Washington. While Vesey is hoping to be in the lineup versus the New York Islanders on Saturday, defenseman Brandon Montour (hand) appears poised to make his season debut Friday. "Brandon is improving daily. His curve is definitely upwards," Krueger said. "We're happy with the puck skills that are showing up again and his mobility is increasing."

ABOUT THE CAPITALS (9-2-3): Washington was a league-best 7-1-1 away from home last month, joining the New Jersey Devils (2009) as the only teams to register seven road wins in the season's opening month. A huge part of that success was the superb play of the special teams -- the Capitals were 10 of 29 on the power play and snuffed out 32 of 37 short-handed situations in the nine road games. Captain Alex Ovechkin scored twice against Toronto to move into sole possession of 12th place on the all-time list with 669 goals -- 32 of which have come against Buffalo in 48 games.

OVERTIME

1. Washington has won seven straight at home against Buffalo.

2. Sabres F Jeff Skinner has seven even-strength goals, which is tied for second behind Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl.

3. Washington's John Carlson set a franchise mark for blue-liners with 23 points in October.

PREDICTION: Capitals 3, Sabres 2