The Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabres meet Saturday in NHL action from the KeyBank Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres prediction.
Washington Capitals Recap
The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to rebound from a 3-1 loss at the hands of the New York Islanders to sit at 6-5 this season. After this game, Washington will head home for a game against the St. Louis Blues.
Capitals Drop 3 In A Row
Tom Wilson leads Washington with 12 points including a team-high 6 goals and 6 assists while Dylan Strome has 10 points with 2 goals and a team-high 8 assists. Aliaksei Protas has 9 points with 4 goals and 5 assists while John Carlson and Alex Ovechkin each have 7 points with 2 goals and 5 assists and Jakob Chychrun has 7 points with 3 goals and 4 assists. Ryan Leonard’s added 5 points with 3 goals and 2 assists while Martin Fehervary has 4 points with 3 assists. Connor McMichael and Nic Dowd each have 3 points with 2 assists as well this season. In goal for Washington, Logan Thompson has gone 5-3 with a 1.44 GAA and a .935 save percentage while Charlie Lindgren is 1-2 with a 3.72 GAA and an .882 save percentage so far this season.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last four games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have lost four of their last five games as home favorites after coming off overtime.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as road underdogs following a home loss.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in each of his last 14 road appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- John Carlson has recorded at least one assist in each of his last four appearances with the Capitals as underdogs against the Sabres.
Buffalo Sabres Recap
The Buffalo Sabres come into this game looking to bounce back from a 4-3 OT loss at the hands of the Boston Bruins last time out to sit at 4-4-3 this season. After this game, Buffalo will be at home for a game against the Utah Mammoth.
Sabres Drop 3 Straight OT Games
Alex Tuch leads Buffalo with 11 points including 4 goals and 7 assists while Rasmus Dahlin has 9 points with a team-high 8 assists and Tage Thompson has 9 points with 4 goals and 5 assists. Zach Benson’s added 8 assists and Josh Doan has 8 points with 4 goals and 4 assists. Ryan McLeod also has 7 points iwth 3 goals and 4 assists while Jason Zucker has 6 points with 4 goals and Mattias Samuelsson has 6 points with 4 assists. Jack Quinn has 6 points with 3 goals and 3 assists while Jiri Kulich has 5 points with 3 goals and 2 assists and Bowen Byram’s added 5 points with 4 assists. Alex Lyon has gone 3-4-2 with a 2.90 GAA and a .912 save percentage in goal for Buffalo while Colten Ellis is 1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and a .935 save percentage so far this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has gone 0-0-1 with a 3.91 GAA and an .818 save percentage up to this point in the year.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last seven home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last four games at KeyBank Center.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Sabres.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last seven home games against the Capitals.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in eight of the Sabres’ last nine games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last nine games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last nine games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Capitals’ last nine games against the Sabres following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres Prediction
I’m on the Capitals here. I just don’t see Washington continuing to struggle offensively the way they have, even on the second half of a back-to-back as I just think there’s a clear talent disparity across the board favoring Washington in this matchup. The Sabres will be able to provide some value in some spots, I just don’t believe that this is one of those spots. Give me Washington.