Protecting a third period lead has been a difficult task for the Buffalo Sabres this season. Just the night before, they blew a two-goal lead against the New York Rangers. The Rangers tied it up with only 8 seconds left. The Sabres threw a barrage of 49 shots at Ranger goalie Mike Richter, scoring only twice. The Sabres went against their norm Wednesday night in the nation's capital by scoring 4 times against their old-time tormentor, Olaf Kolzig, and cruised to a 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.