Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 12/14/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, December 14, 2024

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+125) Capitals (-150)

The Buffalo Sabres (11-14-4) are en route to Capital One Arena on Saturday where they will take on the Washington Capitals (19-6-2). The line on this matchup has the Sabres at +125 and the Capitals are opening at -150. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Buffalo Sabres were on the wrong end of the scoreboard with a 3-2 defeat against the Rangers their last time out. Buffalo compiled 13 minutes in the box for this game. In addition, they had 2 power play tries but didn't net one. The Sabres had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the defeat. In the game, they tallied a score on 2 out of the 31 shots they put on goal.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have amassed 93 power play tries (7th in the NHL) and have scored 18 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have seen 841 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .888. Buffalo has attempted 819 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 10.5%. When at even strength, the Sabres let the opposition score 76 goals while scoring 74 themselves. Buffalo comes into the game with 85 power play opportunities and they have scored 12 goals during those advantages, giving them a percentage of 14.12%. For the current season, they have tallied 26 points and their points % is .448. In the matter of their scoring capabilities, the Buffalo Sabres have racked up 86 goals (17th in pro hockey) this year and have given up 94.

The player protecting the goal in this game is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. In his career, Luukkonen has tallied 65 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is at .560. His save percentage sits at .904 during his 5,760 mins played. Luukkonen has seen 3,517 shots against him and has recorded 3,178 saves. Opponents have scored 339 goals versus Luukkonen in his NHL career and his goals against average per contest is 3.53. He has amassed an overall record of 55-49-13 and he has gotten the start in 116 games. Luukkonen has participated in 120 games throughout his NHL career.

The last time they were on the ice, Washington opposed the Canadiens in a game where the Capitals notched a win by a score of 4-2. The Capitals netted 4 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they pursued. They had 3 power play opportunities in this game and scored 1 out of those attempts.

The Capitals have racked up 91 goals at even strength and 18 goals (13th in pro hockey) while on the power play. Washington has attempted 783 shots (24th in the NHL) and has earned a shot percentage of 13.92%, while allowing their opponents 746 shots. For the year, the Washington Capitals have earned 109 goals, 40 points, in addition to a points percentage of .741. They have allowed 74 goals to be scored by of a combination of 60 goals at even strength and 14 goals while they were shorthanded. They have earned 85 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 21.18%. They have accumulated a penalty kill percentage of 83.72% on their oppositions 86 chances on the power play, and their save percentage comes in at 90.1%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Logan Thompson in goal. Thompson is sitting with a lifetime record of 67-33-13 and has been in goal for 117 games. Thompson's percentage of quality starts comes out to 58.7% and he has qualified for 64 quality starting assignments in his career. He has gathered 3,106 stops out of the 3,405 shots taken against him, giving him a save % of .912. His opponents are averaging 3.01 goals per game and he has conceded 299 goals overall. He has made the start in 109 contests and has played for a total of 5,957 mins.

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

Guy's Pick: Take Washington (-150)

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