The Washington Capitals and the Buffalo Sabres meet Thursday 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 Sabres vs. Capitals prediction.
Washington Capitals Recap
The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to shake off their 4-1 loss at the hands of Philadelphia last time out to sit at 32-27-7 this season. After this game, Washington will head home for a game against the Boston Bruins.
Capitals Drop 4 Of Last 5
Alex Ovechkin leads the Capitals in scoring with 51 points, including a team-high 24 goals and 27 assists, while Tom Wilson has 50 points with 24 goals and 26 assists this season. Jakob Chychrun has 50 points with 22 goals and 28 assists and Dylan Strome added 50 points with 16 goals and 34 assists as well this year. John Carlson chipped in 46 points with a team-high 36 assists and Aliaksei Protas has 44 points with 21 goals and 23 assists on the year. In goal for Washington, Logan Thompson has gone 22-19-4 with a 2.44 GAA and a .911 save percentage, while Charlie Lindgren is 8-7-3 with a 3.41 GAA and an .881 save percentage so far this season. Clay Stevenson also has gone 2-1 with a 2.33 GAA and a .904 save percentage this season.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won seven of their last eight games against the Sabres following a road loss.
- The Sabres have lost three of their last four games as home favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The road team has covered the puck line in 16 of the Sabres’ last 19 games.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in five of their last six games as home favorites following a home win.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Dylan Strome has scored a goal in four of his last five appearances with his team as an underdog against the Sabres.
- Jakob Chychrun has recorded at least one assist in four of the Capitals’ last five road games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 13 appearances—the equal-longest active streak in the league.
Buffalo Sabres Recap
The Buffalo Sabres come into this game looking to add on to their 6-3 win over San Jose last time out to sit at 40-19-6 this season. After this game, Buffalo will take on the Toronto Maple Leafs at home.
Sabres Win 8 In A Row
Tage Thompson leads the Sabres in scoring with 70 points coming on a team-high 34 goals and 36 assists while Alex Tuch has 57 points with 28 goals and 29 assists and Rasmus Dahlin has 60 points with a team-high 47 assists. Josh Doan has 44 points with 21 goals and 23 assists and Ryan McLeod has 48 points with 12 goals and 36 assists. Bowen Byram has 35 points with 10 goals and 25 assists, while Jack Quinn added 43 points with 15 goals and 28 assists this season. Alex Lyon has gone 18-8-3 with a 2.65 GAA and a .914 save percentage in goal for Buffalo, while Colten Ellis is 7-4-1 with a 3.11 GAA and an .896 save percentage so far this season. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has gone 15-7-2 with a 2.74 GAA and a .905 save percentage up to this point in the year.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last eight games.
- The Capitals have lost seven of their last eight games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Sabres.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight home games against the Capitals.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Jason Zucker has scored at least one goal in each of the Sabres’ last five home games.
- Rasmus Dahlin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last nine home games.
- Tage Thompson is one of only three players in the league to have recorded 5+ shots in five or more consecutive appearances this season.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last seven games against the Capitals following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last seven Thursday road games have gone OVER the total goals line.
Sabres vs Capitals Prediction
I’m on the Sabres here. I get the case to be made for either side in this game, as it’s not often you see this kind of plus price attached to the Capitals. However, the Sabres are hot right now, and Washington is in a bit of a downturn, having lost 4 of 5 and Buffalo just isn’t a team I’m looking to step in front of right now. Give me the Sabres here.