Capitals’ New Help of No Help at All

The Washington Capitals could have used new acquisitions Oates and Rick Tocchet Sunday. The Capitals acquired Oates, Tocchet and goaltender Bill Ranford from the Boston Bruins in exchange for goalie Jim Carey, centers Anson Carter and Jason Allison and a 1997 third-round draft pick Saturday to try to bolster their offense.

But Oates and Tocchet were not available for today’s game against the Islanders, and the Capitals suffered a 2-0 loss.

Capital General Manager David Poile said Oates had asked for the day off and that Tocchet, who has a sore ankle, should be fit to play in three to four days.

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The Buffalo Sabres assigned former King defenseman Charlie Huddy to Rochester of the American Hockey League.