The Capitals and Sabres are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Sabres will host the game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. This Eastern conference matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Sabres are favored by -1.5 goals vs. the Capitals.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS BUFFALO SABRES BETTING PICK

The Pick: Buffalo Sabres -1.5

This game will be played at KeyBank Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, April 11th.

WHY BET THE BUFFALO SABRES:

  • Our prediction for this game is that the Sabres will come out on top with a projected score of 4-2.
  • Take the Sabres on the moneyline
  • The Sabres should also cover at -1.5

Can the Capitals Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?

On the season, the Capitals are 37-30-11 and currently sit in 8th place in the Eastern Conference. In the Eastern Conference, they have gone 22-24 and are 4th in the Metropolitan Division. Over their last ten games, the Capitals are 4-6 and have gone 1-4 over their last five games. On the road, Washington is 17-18-4 this season.

As the underdog, the Capitals have gone 23-27-8 this season and have been the underdog in 58 of their 78 games. In games against other teams from the Eastern Conference, the Capitals have gone 15-10 this season.

Washington comes into the game with a puck line record of 37-41 this year and a road puck line record of 18-21. So far, the Capitals have 18 wins by multiple goals and have dropped 28 games by more than one goal. In their last ten road games, the team has gone 5-5 vs. the puck line.

Overall, Washington has been the underdog in 58 games and has a puck line mark of 32-26 when in that spot. The team’s average scoring margin for the year sits at -0.5 goals per game. In their last three games, the Capitals have gone 1-2 vs. the puck line.

This season, Washington’s games are averaging 5.9 goals per game. Their average over/under line is 6. The Capitals currently have an over/under record of 34-40-4.

Through their last three road games, Washington has an puck line record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 1-2 while averaging 2 goals per game.

In terms of their offensive performance, the Capitals are averaging 2.6 goals per game this season, putting them in the 28th spot in the NHL. When it comes to shots on goal per game, they are ranked 30th in the league. This season, the Capitals have a 10-7 record in games where they outshoot their opponent. In games with fewer shots on goal, they hold a 27-23 record.

Washington will be looking for a good game from Alex Ovechkin who leads the team in scoring with 30 goals, ranking 36th in the NHL. Ovechkin also comes into the game with 33 assists.

The Sabres defense is currently 21st in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 29 shots per game against Buffalo. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 13th with 5 shutouts.

Goalie Charlie Lindgren gets the start and has made 44 starts this season. His record at this point is 22-15, and his save percentage is 0.85%.

Will the Sabres Make it Happen at Home?

At home this season, the Sabres have gone 20-19-1 and have won their last two games at home. Overall, Buffalo is 37-37-5 and is in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and 6th in the Atlantic Division. Against the Eastern Conference, the Sabres have gone 22-25 this season.

As the favorite, Buffalo has gone 17-11-1 this season and has won their last two games when favored. Over their last ten games, the Sabres have gone 4-6, and they have lost their last two games.

At home this season, the Sabres have a puck line record of 20-20 and an average scoring margin of +.2 goals per game. So far, Buffalo has been the favorite in 29 games and has a puck line record of 11-18 in those games.

Overall, the team’s puck line record is 44-35, and they have 26 wins by multiple goals. In their last ten home games, the Sabres have a puck line record of 7-3, and their average scoring differential as the favorite is +.3 goals per game.

Games involving Buffalo have an average of 6 goals per game this season. Their average over/under line is 6.4. In terms of their over/under performance, the Sabres come in with a record of 31-45-3.

When looking at their past three road matchups, Washington has an puck line record of 1-2 while averaging 2 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.

Offensively, the Sabres come into the game at 3 goals per contest placing 21st in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are in 14th position in the league. Coming into the game, the Sabres have a 21-22 record when they have more shots on goal than their opponent. When they have fewer shots on goal, they are 14-15.

Buffalo’s current leading scorer is Tage Thompson. This season, he has 29 goals, which puts him 41st in the NHL. Thompson also comes into the game with 26 assists.

Defensively, the Sabres come into the season ranked 21st in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 29 shots per game against Buffalo. For the season, they are ranked 13th in shutouts, coming in with 5 shutouts.

Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen comes into the game having made 49 starts this season. So far, his record is 26-22 and he has a save percentage of 0.894%.