Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres December 14th 2024

Looking to win big? The Sabres and Capitals face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Capitals are hosting the game at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Capitals are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Sabres.

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Buffalo vs. Washington Key Information

• Teams: Sabres at Capitals
• Where: Capital One Arena Washington
• Date: Saturday, December 14th
• Betting Odds WAS -187 | BUF +157 O/U 6

The Sabres Can Win If…

Buffalo’s record dropped to 11-14-4 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres took an early lead with a short-handed goal by Alex Tuch, but Detroit responded with two power-play goals in the second period.

The total for the game was set at 6.5 goals, but the teams combined for just 3. Buffalo, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. All of the Sabres’ 1 goal came in the first period, and they were unable to score again.

In their 2-1 loss to Detroit, Buffalo’s offense fired 32 shots on goal but only managed to score once. Alex Tuch netted his 5th goal of the season, an unassisted shorthanded effort at 8:21 in the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and didn’t tally any assists. They were held scoreless in the second and third periods after Tuch’s early goal.

Buffalo’s defense will look to bounce back after giving up two goals in the second period of their last game, both on the power play. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves with a 91.3% save percentage, while the Sabres’ defense recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

• The Sabres have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 1-2, in addition to an over-under mark of 2-1.
• Buffalo has put together a record of 2-8 in their last ten games (regular season). In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 6-4 and an over-under mark of 4-5-1.

The Capitals Can Win If…

After a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals’ record now stands at 20-6-2. Washington held a 2-1 lead after the first period, but Carolina responded with three unanswered goals, including an empty-netter in the final seconds.

The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit that exact number. The Capitals, as underdogs on the puck line, failed to cover. Washington’s goals came late in the first period, with Alex Ovechkin and Brandon Duhaime each finding the net.

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal in the Capitals’ 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist, and Dylan Strome added his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal.

Washington fired 21 shots on goal but struggled with giveaways, committing 15. The Capitals scored both of their goals in the first period, including Ovechkin’s power-play goal.

Defensively, the Capitals will look to improve after giving up three goals to the Hurricanes in their last game, with the fourth coming on an empty net. Goalie Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage. The defense also recorded 2 takeaways and 20 hits.

• Washington has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Their strong play has also resulted in an puck line mark of 2-1 (last 3). They had an over/under mark of 0-2-1 in those same games.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Capitals have gone 7-3 straight up. Across these games, their puck line record was just 7-3, while posting an over-under record of 3-6-1.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Sabres to pick up on a win over the Capitals and the road. With the moneyline sitting at +157, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Sabres straight-up.

Our projections have the Sabres pulling out a win as the underdog. But if you’re not as bullish as we are on the Sabres, we’d recommend at least getting a bet down on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Daily NHL Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Hockey Handicappers

Ascending Capitals Face Struggling Sabres in High-Stakes Matchup

The Washington Capitals will look to continue their red-hot form on Saturday as they host the Buffalo Sabres, a team desperate to snap out of a prolonged losing streak. This matchup showcases two teams trending in opposite directions, setting the stage for an intriguing clash.

Buffalo Sabres: Struggling to Find Their Footing

The Buffalo Sabres are enduring a dismal eight-game losing streak (0-5-3), with seven of those losses occurring on home ice. Of particular frustration, six of these defeats were by a single goal. On multiple occasions, the Sabres held a lead late in the second or early in the third period but faltered down the stretch.

Buffalo’s head coach Lindy Ruff acknowledges the psychological toll this slump has taken on his players.

“To be honest with you, I think they’re all feeling it. My job is to try to keep the spirit in the right place,” Ruff said.

Addressing Key Weaknesses

To turn things around, Ruff has zeroed in on two critical areas: generating more accurate shots and revitalizing the power play.

• Shots on Goal:
  The Sabres rank 24th in the NHL in 5-on-5 shots on goal with just 623 attempts. They have missed the net 455 times—fourth-highest in the league. Ruff is urging his team to focus on finishing opportunities.“We have to start finishing more… just hitting the net more on key opportunities. We’re still a team that misses the net too much,” Ruff explained.
• Power Play Woes:
  Buffalo’s power play has been particularly ineffective, converting just 1-for-26 over the past 10 games. This marks a stark contrast to an 11-for-37 stretch in the previous 11 contests, where the power play scored in 10 games. To address this, Ruff has shuffled personnel, notably moving team-leading scorer Tage Thompson (16 goals) into the bumper position.“Looking to get Tommer in a different spot where he’s not covered all the time,” Ruff said. “We need more motion and rotation to create scoring chances.”

Washington Capitals: Riding High on Momentum

In stark contrast, the Washington Capitals are flying high with an eight-game point streak (7-0-1). They’ve been nearly unstoppable since late November and currently sit tied for second in the NHL standings, just one point behind the Winnipeg Jets for the league’s top spot.

Their latest victory, a 2-1 overtime triumph against the Columbus Blue Jackets, underscores their ability to stay composed in tight games.

“It’s been fun so far,” said forward Aliaksei Protas. “We’ve got a great group of guys who compete for each other, fight for each other. We know at the end of the day, we’ve got to be patient, and we’ll find a way to win.”

Key Contributors Fueling Success

The Capitals’ success has been fueled by strong performances from emerging stars like Protas. The 23-year-old forward has recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last seven games, bringing his season total to 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists). He is just three points shy of his career high, achieved last season.

“He’s just relentless,” said teammate Pierre-Luc Dubois. “He plays well on the penalty kill and is such a smart player. He’s sneaky, one of our most valuable players every night.”

The Capitals have benefited from a balanced roster, with both veterans and younger players contributing on both ends of the ice. Their disciplined play and ability to execute in close games have made them one of the most consistent teams in the league.

Key Matchup Factors

This game will hinge on a few critical factors:

1. Sabres’ Offensive Execution: Buffalo must capitalize on their scoring opportunities, especially on the power play. Thompson’s new position could be pivotal.
2. Capitals’ Depth and Resilience: Washington’s ability to adapt to situations and find contributions from across the lineup has been a hallmark of their success.
3. Momentum vs. Pressure: The Capitals are riding high on confidence, while the Sabres are under immense pressure to break their losing streak.

What’s at Stake?

For Buffalo, this game is a chance to reset their season and start a three-game road trip on the right foot. For Washington, it’s an opportunity to extend their unbeaten run and challenge for the league’s top spot.

The clash of these two teams—one surging and the other seeking redemption—promises to be a hard-fought and emotionally charged battle.

Conclusion

The Sabres need a near-perfect performance to overcome their struggles, while the Capitals aim to keep their momentum alive. With Buffalo desperate to break their losing streak and Washington eyeing dominance, hockey fans can expect an exciting showdown.