Protas scores in return from injury as Capitals keep playoff hopes alive with 6-2 win over Sabres

WASHINGTON (AP) — Aliaksei Protas had a goal and assist in his return from injury and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Saturday night.

Jakob Chychrun and Connor McMichael also had a goal and assist, and Dylan Strome, Ryan Leonard and Tom Wilson also scored for the Capitals, who have won four of their last five and moved within one point of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and assist, and Beck Malenstyn also scored for the Sabres, who clinched a playoff berth for the first time in an NHL-record 14 seasons but have dropped two in a row.

Washington had Buffalo on its heels early, scoring three goals in the first six minutes for a 3-0 lead.

Chychrun opened the scoring with a rebound off a shot from Alex Ovechkin in front, and 20 seconds later, Strome finished off a tic-tac-toe passing play to extend the lead. Just over two minutes later, McMichael picked up a rim from Chychrun off the boards and snuck it past Alex Lyon, ending Lyon’s night as Colten Ellis took over in net.

Following a timeout and goalie change, the Sabres responded. Just 38 seconds after McMichael’s goal, Dahlin cut to the inside and sniped a shot past Logan Thompson. Minutes later, Malenstyn got to the front and lifted home a rebound.

Protas restored Washington’s two-goal lead early in the second, calling his own number on a 2-on-1 break.

In the third, Leonard struck from the slot, and Wilson scored shorthanded.

Thompson, making his 10th straight start for Washington, had 37 saves.

Ellis had 20 saves in relief.

Sabres: Host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

Capitals: Visit the New York Rangers on Sunday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Washington Capitals left wing Connor McMichael (24) shoots the puck past Buffalo Sabres center Ryan McLeod during the first period of an NHL Hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehérváry (42) chats the puck against Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) during the second period of an NHL Hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Capitals center Justin Sourdif (34) reaches for a rebound off of Buffalo Sabres goaltender Colten Ellis during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson makes a save during the second period of an NHL Hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates Capitals Jakob Chychrun's goal during the first period of an NHL Hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

NEW YORK (AP) — Oh baby, the Marlins quickly decided to give Pete Fairbanks his first start since 2020.

Miami's closer left Yankee Stadium after pitching in the first inning in order to get home Sunday night ahead of his wife giving birth.

When it became clear the start of the game against New York was going to be delayed by rain, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough decided to open the game with the 32-year-old right-hander and send scheduled starter Chris Paddack to the bullpen.

Fairbanks' wife Lydia was scheduled to have labor induced on Monday morning.

“Let's just go ahead and let’s bank an inning here at the start of the game, and then you can take off and go enjoy,” McCullough said after the Marlins' come-from-behind 7-6 win, recalling his pregame discussion with Fairbanks.

This will be the third child for Fairbanks and his wife after a son, Isak, and daughter, Lotte. A daughter, Ellis, died after 19 weeks, 6 days of gestation during the 2023-24 offseason due to Turner Syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by a missing or partial X chromosome.

Rain caused the game to start at 5:10 p.m. after a 3-hour, 35-minute delay. McCullough made the decision while speaking with Fairbanks during breakfast in the visitors clubhouse.

Fairbanks threw a 27-pitch first inning, allowing Ben Rice’s three-run homer that put New York ahead 3-1. He then left to catch a flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Tampa International Airport.

“Today being the last we’re going to have him for a few days, we knew we were going to pitch him today,” McCullough said.

Left-hander Andrew Nardi relieved for the bottom of the second and the right-handed Paddack entered in the third.

“Skipper told me early on when I got to the ballpark that there was going to be a little change in the game plan," Paddack said. “It was a little weird.”

Paddack allowed an unearned run and three hits over 4 2/3 innings while striking out four and walking four, rebounding from a loss to Colorado in his first start when he gave up eight runs over four innings.

“I actually threw my pregame bullpen there in the first inning," Paddack said. “It was a little longer inning than we were expecting out of Pete, so was able to sit down there in the second. And then once we started swinging the bat at the top of the third, I walked over and mentally right there, I said: `The switch is on. This is a start.'”

A 32-year-old right-hander, Fairbanks agreed to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Marlins in December after the Tampa Bay Rays declined an $11 million team option. He had 27 saves last year and has two for the Marlins, raising his total to 92 in eight major league seasons.

Fairbanks had last pitched on Tuesday and the start was just his third in 279 big league appearances, the first since he pitched 1 2/3 innings for Tampa Bay at the New York Mets.

After Fairbanks left the mound, catcher Liam Hicks didn't speak with the closer.

“I’m sure he wasn’t thrilled with how he did,” Hicks said. “He’s not really a guy you want to approach if he didn't do that well.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

Miami Marlins pitcher Pete Fairbanks throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins pitcher Pete Fairbanks reacts after getting the final out during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Friday, March 27, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)