The Washington Capitals (26-10-3) travel to face off against the Buffalo Sabres (14-21-5) on Monday, January 6th. This game will be played at KeyBank Center in Buffalo and televised on NHLN. Both the Capitals and Sabres will be looking to bounce back from losses in their previous games. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 ET.

Capitals vs Sabres

The Washington Capitals Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

After a 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes, the Capitals are now 26-10-3. Washington trailed 1-0 in the first period before Alex Ovechkin scored at 19:16, followed by a goal from Brandon Duhaime at 19:49, giving them a 2-1 lead. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals.

The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined score hit that number exactly. Washington was the underdog on the puck line, and the loss meant they didn’t cover. Both of the Capitals’ goals came in the first period.

The Buffalo Sabres Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

Buffalo dropped to 14-21-5 after a 2-1 loss to the Red Wings. The Sabres took the lead with a short-handed goal in the first period, but Detroit responded with two power-play goals in the second. Buffalo entered the game as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, well above the combined 3 goals scored.

Alex Tuch scored the Sabres’ only goal, finding the net at 11:39 in the first period. Buffalo’s defense kept the Red Wings scoreless until 7:49 in the second period, when Dylan Larkin tied it up. Larkin added another goal later in the second period to secure the win for Detroit.

Washington Offense Breakdown

Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play, while Brandon Duhaime followed with his 2nd goal. Ovechkin took 5 shots on goal, and Duhaime had 3. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist, and Dylan Strome added his 13th assist on Ovechkin’s goal. John Carlson also contributed with his 7th assist.

Washington managed 21 shots on goal but struggled with 15 giveaways. Both of their goals came in the first period, with Duhaime scoring at 19:49 and Ovechkin earlier at 19:16.

Sabres Offense Breakdown

Buffalo fired 32 shots on goal but only found the net once in a 2-1 loss to Detroit. Alex Tuch scored his 5th goal of the season, an unassisted effort that came shorthanded in the first period.

The Sabres had 13 giveaways and did not record an assist. Tuch took 5 shots on goal, but the team was unable to score again after his early goal.

Washington Team Defense

Defensively, the Capitals had a tough game, allowing 44 shots on goal and 3 goals, with the 4th coming on an empty net. After taking a 2-1 lead into the 1st intermission, they gave up two 2nd-period goals and another late in the 3rd. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, while the defense recorded 16 blocks, 20 hits, and 2 takeaways.

Buffalo Team Defense

Buffalo’s defense held strong in the first and third periods, but they gave up two crucial goals in the second, both on the power play. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 21 saves and a 91.3% save percentage. The Sabres’ defense also recorded 5 takeaways and 17 hits.

Capitals vs Sabres Trends

• In their last five games away from home, the Capitals have a straight up record of 1-4 while going 1-4 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 2 goals per game in these contests.
• Although Buffalo has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five home games, they have not held up as well vs the puck line going 2-3. The team averaged 3 goals per game in these games.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Sabres have a straight up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the puck line was just 1-2.
• Through their last five games as the favorite, the Capitals have an puck line record of 3-2 and a straight up mark of 3-2.

Capitals vs Sabres Prediction

For a moneyline bet, I’m backing the Sabres to secure a victory over the Capitals at home. With the moneyline currently set at +125, I’m locking in my bet on the Sabres straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Sabres winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Sabres straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

For those looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our expectation is that this game will surpass that mark, and we suggest making a bet on the over.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.