The Washington Capitals (37-30-11) visit the Buffalo Sabres (37-37-5) Thursday evening. Puck drop from KeyBank Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Capitals vs. Sabres odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Capitals snapped a 6-game losing streak with a 2-1 road win over the Detroit Red Wings Tuesday. LW Alex Ovechkin and C Dylan Strome each found the back of the net for the Capitals in the 2nd period to give them a 2-0 lead, and a 3rd-period goal from Detroit was not enough to complete the comeback.
The Sabres have lost back-to-back games after falling 3-2 against the Dallas Stars Tuesday. RW Alex Tuch and D Rasmus Dahlin each scored for Buffalo in the 1st period, but a 2-goal 2nd period from Dallas proved to be too much to handle.
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Capitals at Sabres odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Capitals +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Sabres -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Capitals +1.5 (-225) | Sabres -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Capitals at Sabres projected goalies
Charlie Lindgren (22-15-7, 2.78 GAA, .909 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (26-22-3, 2.58 GAA, .910 SV%, 5 SO)
Lindgren has seen the most action for the Capitals this season and is middle of the pack in regards the NHL. His 22-15-7 record ranks 18th, his 2.78 GAA ranks 19th, and his .909 SV% is 17th. He is 9-8 with a 2.99 GAA on the road this season.
Luukkonen has seen more action than the Sabres’ other 2 goalies combined this season. His 26-22-3 record is 11th-best in the NHL, as is his 2.58 GAA. Like Lindgren, he also has 5 SO this season, which is tied for 3rd-most in the NHL. He is 14-11 with a 2.25 GAA on his home ice this season.
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Capitals at Sabres picks and predictions
Prediction
Sabres 4, Capitals 3
Moneyline
BET SABRES (-135).
The Sabres play their best hockey on their home ice with a 20-19-1 record. They return home after a 2-Game road trip, and they are 3-1 in their last 4 in Western New York. They have scored 15 goals in that span at home and given up just 9.
Washington has dropped 6 of its last 7, including 3 of its last 4 on the road.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
The odds are better on the Sabres moneyline.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6 (+100).
While the Capitals have not been hot on the offensive end, scoring 2 goals or fewer in each of their last 7, they have given up 3 goals or more in 4 of their last 5, including 4 or more in 3 of their last 5.
The Sabres have scored 13 goals in their last 4 Games. They’ve also scored 3 or more goals in 5 of their last 9 Games and 6 of their last 10.
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