Capitals 4, Sabres 3 (SO): Evgeny Kuznetsov scored on the power play in the third period before netting the only goal in the shootout as visiting Washington solidified its hold on the top wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Curtis Glencross and defenseman Mike Green also tallied and blue-liner Matt Niskanen collected a pair of assists as the Capitals moved four points ahead of Boston, although the Bruins have two games in hand. Braden Holtby, making his 14th consecutive start, turned aside 30 shots before denying all three attempts in the bonus format.

Tyler Ennis and Cody Hodgson each scored in the first period and Johan Larsson notched the equalizer in the third for Buffalo, which suffered its seventh consecutive defeat (0-5-2). Anders Lindback remained winless (0-4-1) in five starts since he was acquired by the Sabres despite making 35 saves.

Kutnezsov skated into the high slot and ripped a wrist shot that beat Lindback glove side for the go-ahead tally 5:55 into the third period, but Larsson tied it by redirecting defenseman Chad Ruhwedel's point shot with 6 1/2 minutes to play. Green scored the lone goal of the second period, moving in and blasting a slap shot from the bottom of the right circle into an open net.

Ellis finished off a give-and-go with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen five minutes into the contest before Glencross swept home a rebound in front just over four minutes later. Buffalo needed only 45 seconds to respond as Hodgson's backhander from the slot was initially stopped by Holtby, but the puck popped high into the air and rolled down his back and into the net.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Glencross scored his fourth goal in seven games since he was acquired from Calgary. ... Ellis' tally snapped a 1-for-29 drought on the power play for the Sabres. ... Green scored for the first time in 21 games for Washington, which has converted on 9-of-17 power-play chances over the past eight games.