Geoff Burke – USA TODAY Sports

After taking a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on the road, the Washington Capitals are making a quick pit stop back at home to face the Buffalo Sabres before heading off on a hectic road trip that involves playing the Pittsburgh Penguins, visiting the Winnipeg Jets twice in two nights and a visit to New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of and everything.

This is one of just two Capitals home games in a span of a little more than three weeks. Does absence make the heart fonder? Fans will want to see their team have a good game against another of the lowest-ranked teams in the Eastern Conference.

The Capitals are skidding, though, having lost four of their last five games after putting up a decent streak earlier. They’ve also been outscored severely in those past five by a 19-5 margin and coach Adam Oates has explained it as being snake-bitten. Perhaps a return to home ice will help get the fangs out and get them back to good. That’s what coach thinks will happen, anyway. He has faith that the team will bounce back soon.

However, they also lost their two most recent games at home, so that’s another recent pattern they would like to change.

Because Michal Neuvirth played twice in a row recently, getting a win and a loss, he’s probably going to get a rest in favor of Braden Holtby.

Either of these teams could really use the boost from a win today, but who’s going to get it? Find out tonight at 7 p.m.

Emma Harger is an NHL Senior Writer for RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, like her on Facebook and add her to your network on Google.