The Washington Capitals and Buffalo Sabres meet Thursday in NHL action at the KeyBank Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Capitals vs Sabres prediction.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals recently lost to the Hurricanes and Senators, while beating the Red Wings. The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.64 goals per game and are scoring on 20.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with 30 goals, John Carlson has 40 assists and Dylan Strome has 162 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 3.14 goals per game and are killing 78.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Darcy Kuemper has given up 103 goals on 940 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 121 goals on 1,337 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres recently beat the Flyers while losing to the Red Wings and Stars. The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 2.96 goals per game and are scoring on 16.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 29 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 38 assists and JJ Peterka has 218 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 2.99 goals per game and are killing 79.4 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Devon Levi has given up 67 goals on 666 shots faced, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 127 goals on 1,405 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The Sabres have won each of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 11 games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in each of their last six games at KeyBank Center following a road loss.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last seven games between the Capitals and Sabres.
Washington Capitals Team Facts
- The favorites have won each of the Capitals’ last eight games at KeyBank Center.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have won the third period in five of their last six night games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 11 games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Capitals vs Sabres prediction
The Sabres have seen 20 of their 37 wins this season come at home, and they smoked the Capitals 6-2 a little over a week ago. The Capitals have lost 6 of their last 7 games and their offense has gone back into a hole. I can see why the Sabres are getting the edge on their home ice. However, the Sabres are a losing team with nothing to play for, while the Caps still have a chance to clinch a playoff berth. Even with all of the losing these last couple of weeks, the Caps still have something to play for, and that makes the plus money valuable. Give me the Capitals on the road.