Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) celebrates his goal with teammate Mike Green (52) as Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold (3) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Washington Capitals right wing Joel Ward (42) celebrates his goal with teammate Mike Green (52) as Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold (3) looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
**FILE** A nearly empty hockey stick rack in the locker room of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team is seen Sept. 25, 2012, in Buffalo, N.Y., during the NHL labor lockout. (Associated Press)
**FILE** A nearly empty hockey stick rack in the locker room of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team is seen Sept. 25, 2012, in Buffalo, N.Y., during the NHL labor lockout. (Associated Press)
FILE -In this Sept. 25, 2012 file photo, an empty locker room is shown during the NHL labor lockout at the First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres hockey team, in Buffalo, N.Y. The NHL lockout that's already wiped out the first three months of the season is taking its toll on Buffalo businesses. And it's no different in many of the NHL's 29 other markets. (AP Photo/David Duprey, File)
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom celebrates his goal with teammates Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, in Washington. The Caps won 3-1. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
A nearly empty hockey stick rack in the Buffalo Sabres locker room is shown at the First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey team, in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The NHL and its union are to return to the bargaining table Friday, the first negotiations since the lockout began Sept. 15. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
A nearly empty hockey stick rack in the Buffalo Sabres locker room is shown at the First Niagara Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres NHL hockey team, in Buffalo, N.Y., Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012. The NHL and its union are to return to the bargaining table Friday, the first negotiations since the lockout began Sept. 15. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby allowed three goals on 18 shots his team's 5-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
