John Carlson, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals will face off against Sam Reinhart, Jack Eichel, and the Buffalo Sabres at the KeyBank Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. NBC Sports Washington will air the game, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, March 9.
Washington Capitals at Buffalo Sabres Odds
Washington (-170) is currently the favorite over Buffalo (+150), and the sportsbooks have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
Washington is 41-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 68 regular season contests, 43 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just two have pushed. This 2019-20 Capitals team is 23-12 SU on the road.
Washington has converted on 19.5 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, it has the sixth-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.8 percent of its penalties..
Averaging 25.9 saves per game with a .897 save percentage, Braden Holtby (26-21-5) has been the primary option in goal for Washington this year. If head coach Todd Reirden decides to rest him, however, Washington may turn to Ilya Samsonov (16-10-2), who has a .913 save percentage and 2.55 goals against average this year.
On the other bench, Buffalo is 29-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 7.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 68 regular season contests, 33 of its games have gone under the total, while 31 have gone over and just four have pushed. This season, the team is 19-15 SU at home.
The Sabres have converted on just 18.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.6 percent of all penalties.
Linus Ullmark has stopped 28.5 shots per game as the primary selection in the crease for the Sabres. Ullmark has 16 wins, 17 losses, and three overtime losses to his name and has maintained a mediocre 2.72 goals against average and a .914 save percentage this season.
Washington Capitals vs. Buffalo Sabres Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The Sabres are 1-2 in games that go to shootout. The Capitals are 4-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in four of Washington’s last five games.
Eight of Buffalo’s last ten games have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 2-6 overall in those games.
Washington skaters have dished out the sixth-most hits in the league (25.0 per game).