| MATCHUP | Washington Capitals | Buffalo Sabres |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 6-5-1 | 5-4-3 |
| Where | KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Saturday, November 1, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
Washington Capitals Betting Preview
The Washington Capitals lost to the Islanders and Stars, and they play the Blues next. The Capitals have lost 3 straight games.
The Washington Capitals are averaging 2.55 goals per game and are scoring 16.7 percent of their power play opportunities. Tom Wilson leads Washington with 6 goals, Dylan Strome has 8 assists, and Jakob Chychrun has 30 shots on goal. Defensively, the Washington Capitals are allowing 2.27 goals per game and are killing 72.7 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Logan Thompson has given up 12 goals on 185 shots faced, and Charlie Lindgren has allowed 11 goals on 93 shots.
Buffalo Sabres Betting Preview
The Buffalo Sabres lost to the Bruins and Blue Jackets, and they play the Mammoth next. The Sabres have lost 3 straight games.
The Buffalo Sabres are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 21.6 percent of their power play opportunities. Jason Zucker leads Buffalo with 4 goals, Rasmus Dahlin has 8 assists, and Tage Thompson has 50 shots on goal. Defensively, the Buffalo Sabres are allowing 3.18 goals per game and are killing 89.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Alex Lyon has given up 26 goals on 294 shots faced, and Colten Ellis has allowed 2 goals on 31 shots.
Why the Buffalo Sabres will win
- The Sabres have won each of their last seven games at KeyBank Center against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have lost each of their last three games.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven games at KeyBank Center.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 games against the Capitals.
- The favorites have won the third period in each of the Capitals’ last four games at KeyBank Center.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won 13 of their last 14 night games against the Sabres following a loss.
- The Sabres have lost each of their last two games as favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 road games following a home loss.
- The Sabres have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games after coming off overtime.
- The Capitals have won the third period in six of their last seven road games against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Eight of the Sabres’ last nine home games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Capitals’ last nine games as underdogs following a home loss have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Sabres’ last 11 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Capitals’ last eight games against opponents on a losing streak.
Buffalo Sabres Player Prop Facts
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one assist in each of the Sabres’ last five games as home favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Alex Tuch has scored a goal in six of the Sabres’ last seven games as favorites.
- Alex Tuch has recorded at least one point in each of the Sabres’ last seven games as favorites.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in 10 of his last 12 appearances after playing the previous day.
- Alex Ovechkin has recorded at least one point in 19 of his last 20 appearances after playing less than 20 minutes the previous day.
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six appearances.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Buffalo Sabres rank T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
- The Buffalo Sabres rank 31st in the league for shots against per game this season (31.9).
- The Washington Capitals have recorded the equal-most wins by a margin of 4+ goals this season (2).
- The Washington Capitals have suffered the largest margin of defeat in the NHL this season (6-goals vs Senators on October, 25).
Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction
The Capitals are the better team, but their offense has been dead all week. I give the Sabres crap, but they’re having a strong week with three straight overtime games, earning points and showing they’re close to snagging some wins. The Sabres have also won 4 of the last 5 games against the Capitals, often lighting them up on the offensive side. While the Sabres have a history of letting me down, I’ll back them at home given the recent play.