Buffalo Sabres - Washington Capitals predictions and free betting tips [02/04/2024]

The Buffalo Sabres are set to welcome the Washington Capitals in an NHL regular-season showdown.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres teeter on the brink of playoff extinction, with a record of 37 wins and 37 losses earning them a mere 75 points. Their chances are slim, as they need to overtake several teams, only with 7 matches remaining in the season. Recent matches have not been kind to the Sabres. After notching up three victories, they have gone on to lose 5 out of their last 8 encounters. Their most recent game against the Toronto Maple Leafs ended goalless for the Sabres, with the final score reading 0-3 in favour of the Leafs.

Buffalo's scoring woes are particularly highlighted in their power plays, where they failed to convert on 18 successive 5-on-4 opportunities. The Buffalo Sabres are battling their way back into form amidst the struggles of the closing stages of the season. But their playoff hopes hang by a thread, particularly given the stiff competition they face in the Eastern Conference.

Washington Capitals

The Washington Capitals are in a crucial phase of the season as they battle for playoff positions in the Eastern Conference. With a record of 36-27-10 accruing 82 points, the team is looking to propel towards the top of the table, facing both direct competitors and less proficient teams in the games ahead. Their recent resilience was on display when they narrowly lost 2:3 to the Boston Bruins in a penalty shootout after coming tantalisingly close to a victory. Over the last 10 games, the Capitals have established consistency with a 6-4 run, solidifying their playoffs prospects by locking horns against both top teams and lower-ranked adversaries, including the impending matches against Buffalo and Pittsburgh.

In the recent clash against Boston, the team exhibited their never-say-die attitude by equalising twice, proving their resolve to walk away victorious. This season, the Capitals have showcased average performance in both attack and defence, scoring 2.7 goals on average per game and conceding 3.11. Team leaders like Ovechkin, with 26 goals, and John Carlson with 38 assists, continue to play vital roles in the Capitals' success. Closing out the season strong will be essential for them to secure playoff positioning and maximise the remaining matches' utility for Stanley Cup battles.

Head-to-head meetings

Out of the last 5 matchups between Buffalo and Washington, 4 have ended in penalty shootouts or overtime, with the Sabres claiming supremacy in 3 of the 5. Their most recent encounter on 23rd November saw Washington emerge stronger with a 4:3 victory in overtime with the first goal credited to Russian Alexeyev for the Caps.

Prediction for Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Match

In this particular matchup, my money's on the Capitals who exhibited grit in the game against Boston and haven't lost in regulation for quite some time. Buffalo lags behind Washington by 7 points.