Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 3/25/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Friday, March 25, 2022

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-215) Sabres (+175)

KeyBank Center is the location where the Buffalo Sabres (23-33-8) will play the Washington Capitals (35-20-10) on Friday. The odds on this game have the Capitals at -215 and the Sabres are coming in at +175. The total is set at 6.

The Washington Capitals were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 5-2 loss to the Blues in their previous outing. The Capitals had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the loss. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 21 shots they looked to score on. Additionally, they had 2 attempts on the power play and scored 1 goal. Washington accounted for 8 penalty minutes in this outing.

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Washington Capitals opponents have tallied 180 power play tries (21st in the NHL) and have come away with 36 goals in those chances. The Capitals have had 1,904 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .904. Washington has tried 2,037 shots and holds a shooting percentage of 10.4%. At even strength, the Capitals have allowed 147 goals while scoring 173 on offense. Washington comes into the game with 198 power play opportunities and they have notched 39 goals during those advantages, earning them a rate of 19.70%. For the current season, they have racked up 80 points and their points percentage is sitting at .615. Regarding their scoring capabilities, the Washington Capitals have notched 212 goals (8th in hockey) on the season and have allowed 183.

The player between the pipes for this game is Vitek Vanecek. Opponents have tallied 169 goals against Vanecek in his pro hockey career and his goals against rate is 2.57. Vanecek has been in net for 70 contests throughout his pro hockey career. His save percentage sits at .912 during his 3,941 mins guarding the cage. He has compiled a mark of 37-19-9 and he was named the starter in 67 games. For his professional hockey career, Vanecek has 31 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .463. Vanecek has seen 1,919 shot attempts taken against him and has recorded 1,750 saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Buffalo squared up with the Penguins in a game where the Sabres ended up with the victory by a mark of 4-3. The Sabres scored 4 goals out of the 33 shots on goal they attempted. They had 3 opportunities on the power play in this contest but weren't able to score a goal.

Buffalo has taken 1,908 shots (19th in hockey) and has a shot percentage of 8.81%, while allowing the opposition 2,165 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 75.60% on the other teams 168 power play chances, and their save percentage is 89.7%. They have earned 174 power play chances and they have a power play rate of 18.39%. The Sabres are sitting with 136 goals at even strength and 32 goals (24th in the NHL) while on the power play. They have permitted 222 goals to be scored by of a combination of 181 goals at even strength and 41 goals while they were shorthanded. This season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned a total of 168 goals, 54 points, as well as a points percentage of .422.

Across the ice you are going to see Craig Anderson protecting the goal. Opponents are averaging 2.84 goals per contest and he has conceded 1,807 goals overall. Anderson's quality start percentage comes out to 53.5% and he has qualified for 314 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He got the starting nod in 587 games and has played 38,133 minutes. Anderson has accrued a lifetime mark of 303-261-69 and has participated in 673 games. He has accounted for 18,851 saves out of the 20,658 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .913.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take Washington (-215)

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