Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 4/2/2024 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (-110) Sabres (-110)

The Washington Capitals (36-27-10) are traveling to KeyBank Center on Tuesday where they will compete against the Buffalo Sabres (35-35-5). The moneyline on this matchup has the Capitals at -110 and the Sabres open at -110. The over/under is set at 7.

The Washington Capitals had a decent effort after finishing in a 2-2 tie against the Bruins in their previous outing. Washington accounted for 4 penalty minutes in this game. Furthermore, they had 4 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to score 1 goal. The Capitals left a lot to be desired in terms of their offense in this game. For the game, they scored on 2 of the 20 shots they attempted.

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When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Washington Capitals have accumulated 197 goals (27th in the National Hockey League) this season and have surrendered 227. For the year, they have recorded 82 points and their points percentage comes in at .562. Washington has compiled 210 power play opportunities and they have notched 44 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 20.95%. While at even strength, the Capitals have allowed the opponent to score 182 goals while getting 153 themselves. Washington has taken 1,953 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.1%. The Capitals have had 2,240 shots taken against them and have a save percentage of .899. Washington Capitals opponents have totaled 218 power play opportunities (19th in professional hockey) and have a total of 45 goals in those attempts.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Charlie Lindgren. Opponents have notched 271 goals versus Lindgren in his career and his goals against average per contest is 2.82. Lindgren has participated in 102 games throughout his NHL career. His save percentage sits at .908 for his 5,768 mins guarding the cage. He has accumulated a record of 49-36-11 and he started in 94 games. For his professional hockey career, Lindgren has earned 56 quality starts and his rate for quality starts is .596. Lindgren has had 2,961 shot attempts against him and he has 2,690 total saves.

The last time they were on the ice, Buffalo opposed the Maple Leafs in an outing where the Sabres took the loss by a mark of 3-0. They had 6 power play attempts in this contest but weren't able to score a goal. The Sabres notched 0 goals of the 34 shots on goal they attempted.

Buffalo has tried 2,341 shots (12th in the NHL) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.44%, while allowing the opposition 2,195 shots. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 79.48% on their opponents 229 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.7%. They have earned 211 power play opportunities and they have accumulated a power play rate of 15.64%. The Sabres have scored 188 goals at even strength and 33 goals (30th in professional hockey) while having a power play advantage. They have permitted 226 goals to be scored by way of 179 goals at even strength and 47 goals while they had less men on the ice. This season, the Buffalo Sabres have earned 221 goals, 75 points, as well as a points percentage of .500.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen in net. He has gathered 2,507 stops out of the 2,776 shots taken against him, which gives him a rate of .903. Luukkonen has amassed a lifetime mark of 44-39-9 and has been in goal for 94 contests. He was named a starter in 90 games and has played 5,353 minutes. Luukkonen's quality start rate comes out to 54.4% and he has made 49 quality starts in his pro hockey career. The opposition is averaging 3.02 goals/game and he has yielded 269 goals in total.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Washington (-110)

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