Washington Capitals center Connor McMichael, right, celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres with right wing T.J. Oshie (77) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Washington Capitals defenseman Nick Jensen (3) is knocked to the ice by Buffalo Sabres left wing Zemgus Girgensons (28) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) is stopped by Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton (75) dives for the puck in front of Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) watches the puck go wide during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen makes a pad save during the second period of the team's NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals on Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) and right wing Jack Quinn (22) celebrate after a victory in an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and Buffalo Sabres left wing Zach Benson (9) work for position during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin skates in the zone during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres head coach Don Granato, center top, looks on during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals, Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) is congratulated for a goal against the Washington Capitals during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 11, 2024, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)