The Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals meet Saturday in NHL action at the Capital One Arena. Here’s a Capitals vs. Sabres Prediction. This article will include a Capitals vs. Sabres Pick.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Senators, beat the Islanders, and play the Lightning next. The Sabres have lost 4 of their last 6 games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3.41 goals per game and are scoring 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Tage Thompson leads Buffalo with 38 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 50 assists, and Alex Tuch has 177 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 2.96 goals per game and are killing 81.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 89 goals on 974 shots faced, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has allowed 79 goals on 869 shots.
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals beat the Flyers, lost to the Devils, and play the Rangers next. The Capitals have won 3 of their last 4 games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 3.14 goals per game and are scoring 18 percent of their power play opportunities. Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with 31 goals, Dylan Strome has 37 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 212 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.95 goals per game and are killing 79.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 135 goals on 1,491 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 65 goals on 569 shots.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last six night games against the Sabres following a road loss.
- The Sabres have lost 14 of their last 16 night games at Capital One Arena.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in 16 of their last 18 games as home underdogs.
- The Sabres have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last seven games against the Capitals following a road loss.
- The Capitals have lost seven of their last eight Saturday home games.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 11 of their last 12 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Sabres have won the third period in each of their last six games as road favorites.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Sabres’ last six road games against the Capitals following a road loss has gone OVER the total goals line.
- Each of the Capitals’ last four games has gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last 12 home games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last five road games against the Capitals.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Jakob Chychrun has scored at least one goal in each of his last four home appearances against the Sabres.
- Connor McMichael has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances with the Capitals as home underdogs.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least two shots in each of his last 23 appearances—the longest active streak in the league.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has scored at least one goal in five of his last six appearances against the Capitals.
- Bowen Byram has recorded an assist in each of the Sabres’ last five road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Owen Power has recorded two assists against the Capitals this season—equal to the most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Washington Capitals rank 30th in the league in short-handed goals allowed this season (11).
- The Washington Capitals rank 5th in the league for Period 3 goals scored per game this season (1.24).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T5th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (81.90%).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 7th in the league for goals per game this season (3.41).
Capitals vs Sabres Prediction
The Sabres are still a great team capable of a deep playoff run but these last couple of weeks have been lackluster. Already locked into a playoff spot, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Sabres are just waiting for the playoffs to get here. The Capitals are at home, where they’ve played their best hockey and they’re still in the playoff mix but they need points in the worst way. If oddsmakers were confident in the Sabres, this price would be a lot more expensive. This feels like a spot for the Capitals. Give me the home team.