Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres Prediction, 2/26/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres

Date: Sunday, February 26, 2023

Location: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY

TV: MSG Network

Odds/Point Spread: Capitals (+100) Sabres (-118)

The Buffalo Sabres (30-23-4) will take on the Washington Capitals (28-26-6) at KeyBank Center on Sunday. The moneyline on this game has the Capitals at +100 and the Sabres open at -118. The over/under has been set at 6.

The Washington Capitals will look to clean up some issues after taking a 4-2 defeat to the Ducks in their previous contest . The Capitals had an offensive game that was below their expectations in this loss. In the outing, they were able to notch a goal on 2 of the 43 shots they put on goal. Furthermore, they had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and notched 1 goal. Washington compiled 16 minutes in the box in this game.

Washington Capitals opponents have 160 power play tries (30th in the NHL) and have come away with 29 goals in those attempts. The Capitals thus far have had 1,806 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .903. Washington has taken 1,895 shots and is the owner of a shooting percentage of 9.3%. At even strength, the Capitals have conceded 146 goals while scoring 139 on offense. Washington has tallied 184 power play chances and they have scored 38 goals out of those chances, garnering them a rate of 20.65%. For the current campaign, they have 62 points and their points percentage comes in at .517. When talking about their goal scoring prowess, the Washington Capitals have earned 177 goals (20th in pro hockey) on the campaign and have given up 175.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Darcy Kuemper. The opposition has been able to score 797 goals against Kuemper in his pro hockey career and his average for goals against per game is 2.51. Kuemper has been in net for 338 contests during his pro hockey career. His save percentage sits at .917 during his 19,074 mins between the pipes. He has amassed an overall mark of 159-113-40 and he has gotten the start in 321 games. During his career on the ice, Kuemper has recorded 178 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .555. Kuemper has had 9,619 shots taken against him and has accrued 8,822 total saves.

Their last time out, Buffalo faced off against the Panthers in a matchup where the Sabres took home the win by a score of 3-1. The Sabres scored 3 goals out of the 35 shots on goal they tried. They had 2 attempts on the power play in this one and earned 1 out of those opportunities.

For the year, the Buffalo Sabres are sitting with 212 goals, 64 points, as well as a points percentage of .561. They have permitted 198 goals to be scored by way of 153 goals at even strength and 45 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Sabres have scored 163 goals at even strength and 49 goals (5th in professional hockey) while on the power play. They have recorded 193 power play chances and they have accumulated a power play percentage of 25.39%. Buffalo has taken 1,841 shots (18th in the league) and has a shot percentage of 11.52%, while allowing the other team 1,881 shots. They have recorded a penalty kill percentage of 73.05% on the other teams 167 power play chances, and their save percentage sits at 89.5%.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Craig Anderson patrolling the crease. He has compiled 19,699 stops out of 21,591 shots taken, giving him a percentage of .912. Anderson has accumulated a lifetime record of 317-271-73 and has played in 703 contests. He got the starting nod in 615 games and has played 39,893 mins. Anderson's quality start rate comes out to 53.3% and he has 328 quality starting assignments in his pro hockey career. His opposition is averaging 2.85 goals per contest and he has yielded 1,892 goals overall.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Buffalo (-118)

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