Takeaways: Capitals Stumble & Tempers Flare In Loss To Sabres, D.C. Falls Out Of Playoff Spot

The Washington Capitals desperately needed two points in Buffalo, as they found themselves scoreboard-watching while trying to keep the momentum from 48 hours ago going against the Sabres. However, they got stung again, and it pulled them back out of playoff position.

Washington got a lone goal from Connor McMichael, but all-too-familiar bad habits and a lack of offense resulted in a 4-2 loss to Buffalo.

Here are all the takeaways from Washington's seventh loss in the last eight games. Either Pittsburgh or Detroit, depending on the result of that game, will take over a Wild Card spot.

Capitals Get Off To Decent Start But Have Lackluster Second, Burned By Sabres' Offense

Washington got off to a solid start to game action, dominating 11-5 in shots to open the first period and sustaining quite a bit of pressure while taking good care of the puck. However, it was Buffalo that struck first, with Zach Benson's shot making it past Charlie Lindgren near the end of the first.

Then, in the second, Alex Tuch would finish off a perfect play and make it 2-0 as the Capitals struggled to get pucks on net, an issue that's continued to plague them over the last handful of games. Washington ultimately had just one shot on goal through the first 11 minutes of the period and four overall in that second.

While Connor McMichael's 18th of the year pulled D.C. back within one quickly after Tuch scored, Buffalo again threatened off the transition, and this time, it was Jack Quinn getting too much time and space to work with before putting Buffalo back up by two.

Ultimately, the Sabres was able to connect on plays and take advantage of all the time and space they were given, and the comeback effort was made even harder late when an errant puck off a linesman led to an empty-netter from Dylan Cozens to make it a 4-1 game. And while Tom Wilson's tip with under a minute left brought D.C. back within two, it wasn't enough.

Charlie Lindgren stopped 14 of 17 shots (.824 save percentage) in what was a relatively flat and underwhelming showing in a crucial game.

Capitals' New Lines Provide Spark, But It's Not Enough in Loss

With the Capitals trailing and needing some offense, head coach Spencer Carbery put the lines in a blender, and his newfound trios found a bit of a spark.

Max Pacioretty replaced Alex Ovechkin on the line with Connor McMichael and T.J. Oshie, and the "McTJMaxx" combination made the most of its chances. The three of them were in sync and moving the puck well, and Pacioretty's nice feed to McMichael ultimately ended a seven-game point drought for the 22-year-old and gave the Capitals some life.

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Alex Ovechkin was reunited with Hendrix Lapierre and went to work with Sonny Milano, too, and Dylan Strome centered Tom Wilson and Aliaksei Protas for the remainder of the game while the fourth line remained intact.

While the new lines generated quite a few looks, it wasn't enough as Washington couldn't come back from the 3-1 deficit in the third.

Capitals Fall Back Out Of Playoff Spot, Tempers Flare Late

With the loss and the Penguins' win, Washington remained at 85 points and fell out of the second Wild Card spot with three games left on the regular season slate.

Then, with seconds left, frustrations boiled over. After Tom Wilson and John Carlson were left irate after the puck went off the linesman and to Dylan Cozens for an empty-netter, Wilson found himself involved in a late skirmish following a high hit on T.J. Oshie.

Wilson and Jordan Greenway dropped the gloves, and Max Pacioretty fought Tage Thompson as frustrations boiled over at the buzzer.

Top Shelf Takes

- T.J. Oshie has assists in back-to-back games.

- Alex Ovechkin got an assist and has 15 points in his last 14 games.

- Tom Wilson's 18th of the season ended a five-game goal drought.