Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (9) passes the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (34) and goaltender Braden Holtby (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel (9) passes the puck against Washington Capitals defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler (34) and goaltender Braden Holtby (70) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Friday, Dec. 21, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) Credit: Nick Wass

Washington — Tom Wilson broke a tie with seven minutes left, Braden Holtby made 36 saves and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, on Friday night.

Evgeny Kuznetsov started the winning play when he stole the puck from goalie Carter Hutton behind the net. The center quickly fed Wilson just outside of the crease. Wilson has 10 goals in 15 games this season.

Holtby came up big in the final moments as the Capitals spent most of the final two minutes killing off a penalty.

Washington has won six of its last seven games and has beaten the Sabres twice at home in less than a week. Buffalo is 0-5-2 in its last seven games in Washington.

Devils 5, Senators 2

Newark, n.j. — Reigning MVP Taylor Hall had two goals and two assists and the slumping Devils rode their top line in snapping a three-game losing streak.

Kyle Palmieri added a goal and two assists, Nico Hischier had a goal and an assists and the line finished with nine points as the Devils won for only the fourth time in the last 17 games (4-7-6).

Pavel Zacha ignited the outburst with a short-handed goal and Keith Kinkaid made 25 saves for New Jersey, which is in last place in the Eastern Conference.

Matt Duchene, who missed the last six games because of injury, scored both goals for Ottawa. Craig Anderson gave up five goals on 25 shots before being replaced by Mike McKenna for the third period.