Capitals Slash Sabres

Bryan Berard scored a goal and assisted on two more to lead the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Day 150. The win keeps Washington in sixth place in the Wales Conference and ups the club's record to 34-31-11. The Caps are one point behind Philadelphia and three ahead of Pittsburgh.

Buffalo opened a 2-1 lead in the opening period despite being outshot 11-6. Gagne got the first goal from Butsayev and Vasicek at 5:31, before Dandenault scored the second from Afinogenov and Butsayev at 9:51. Washington got on the board between the two Sabres goals. Rob Blake was the scorer from Mikael Renberg and Bryan Berard at 9:16.

The Capitals upped the tempo early in the second period to take the lead for good. Berard made it 2-2 from Renberg and Patrick Marleau at 3:02, and Anson Carter netted from Radoslav Suchy a minute later.

Washington turned up the heat even more in the final period, outshooting the Sabres 12-5. Frantisek Lukes put the game away with a goal from Berard and Marleau at 15:03.

Manny Legace stopped 22 shots to earn the win and improve to 27-26-8. Rick Dipietro made 26 saves in the loss to fall to 6-12-0.

The Capitals return to action on Day 153 against Chicago.