Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres Preview: 5 Keys to a Caps Win

March has been somewhat of a yawn-fest for Capitals fans the past couple of years. Usually, by now our team has sewn up the Southeast Division title and we are competing for the Presidents' Trophy. Or, we are shifting our focus towards potential playoff opponents, seeing how we match up and daring to dream that this might be the year that the Caps finally bring Lord Stanley's Cup to DC.

That is not the case at all this year.

On Tuesday night, the Capitals host the Buffalo Sabres with both teams tied for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It is the biggest-regular season game for the Caps in quite some time, and certainly the most important since the Winter Classic last season.

It is no secret that the Caps have underachieved badly this season. Yet with six games remaining in the regular season, they still control their own destiny and can still salvage a playoff berth from the ruins of a season that began with such promise. To do so, however, they must win Tuesday night, and to accomplish that, five things need to happen.

Get to Ryan Miller Early

Ryan Miller has been on fire lately. Earlier today, the NHL released its three stars of the week for the week ending March 25 and Miller was one of them. Anyone who saw the Olympics knows what Miller brings to the table. He is very difficult to crack the longer he is allowed to stay in his zone and comfort level. With a 1.26 goals against average and .956 save percentage for the week, Miller's numbers speak for themselves. 

For the Caps to succeed Tuesday night, they need to attack Miller and get an early goal or two against him. This will prevent Miller from getting too comfortable and will also give the Caps some much-needed confidence. If the Caps are going to win, they have to get to Ryan Miller early.

Get Alexander Ovechkin Going Early

While Ryan Miller was one of the three stars announced by the NHL for the week ending March 25, Alex Ovechkin was one of the other ones.

The writing sample I submitted to get accepted as a writer for Bleacher Report was about how being the captain was ruining Ovechkin. He is making me eat my words lately.

Ovie has been absolutely scorching as of late, just when the Caps need him the most. For the week ending March 25, Ovie led the league with six goals and he added an assist. He is leading by example and looks more like the "Great 8" than he has at any other time this year.

For the Caps to prevail Tuesday night, Ovie has to keep playing at this high level. He scored 26 seconds into the game against the Flyers the other night. A similar result against the Sabres would be huge.

Contain the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno Line

Since rookie Marcus Foligno was brought up from Rochester, the Sabres have been practically unstoppable. Placing him on the same line with Tyler Ennis and Drew Stafford has been the elixir Lindy Ruff was looking for most of the season.

Going into the game against the Canadiens the other night, the Ennis-Stafford-Foligno line had tallied 11 goals, 14 assists and had a plus-22 rating...in only five games together. 

It goes without saying that if the trio continues that type of production against the Capitals, the Sabres should hand the Caps a very costly loss.

Start Braden Holtby in Net

With Thomas Vokoun still nursing a groin injury, it will either be the 22-year-old rookie Braden Holtby or Michael Neuvirth getting the start in net for the biggest game of the season.

Holtby should get the nod.

Shutting out the Wild yesterday was a good indicator that the kid can handle the pressure. But, moreover, Neuvirth has been too shaky as of late. He could not hold a 3-0 lead against the Jets just a few nights ago and a similar collapse against the Sabres cannot be afforded. In his last 11 starts, Neuvirth is 5-4-2 with a 2.63 goals against and a .909 save percentage. Those are decent numbers. But if you look at that collapse against Winnipeg and compare that to what Holtby did against the Wild, one gets the sense that Holtby has the hotter hand right now.

Play the Full 60 Minutes

If ever there was a learning experience for the Caps, it was Friday's disaster against the Jets. The Caps were in complete control and had a 3-0 lead. For some inexplicable reason, they stopped playing. The Jets took it to them, out-shot the Caps 17-2 in the third period and eventually prevailed in OT.

If you watched the game against the Wild yesterday, though, the Caps did not let their foot off the pedal when they got up 3-0. They continued to press the attack and did not just lay back and let Minnesota take it to them. They will need a similar effort against Buffalo. Washington needs to play hungry from the moment the puck is dropped until the final horn sounds.