Caps defenseman John Carlson set up Aliaksei Protas for the tying goal with 4:13 left in regulation, securing a point for the Capitals in a game in which they were far from their best. In the process, Carlson recorded his 700th career NHL point, becoming just the 13th blueliner in NHL history to reach that lofty plateau with one franchise.

Alex Tuch scored twice, JJ Peterka had the deciding goal in the shootout and the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3 on on Monday night.

The Capitals are ‘just a little off’ and drop a 4-3 shootout loss on the road against the team with the fewest points in the Eastern Conference.