Capitals vs Sabres Picks and Prediction – 4/11/2024

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The Washington Capitals (37-30-11, 4th in Metropolitan) meet the Buffalo Sabres (37-37-5, 6th in Atlantic) in a clash at KeyBank Center. Both teams have identical win records but have fared differently in recent games. The Capitals bounced back with a win against Detroit, while the Sabres fell to Dallas. Hit the ice running with our NHL picks.

Washington's season has been a rollercoaster, highlighted by recent ups and downs including a critical win against Detroit and an earlier loss to Buffalo. Injuries have hit the Capitals hard; key players like Rasmus Sandin and Nicklas Backstrom are sidelined, putting more pressure on the remaining squad. Despite these challenges, Alex Ovechkin continues to lead with 30 goals, though his minus-21 rating reflects defensive struggles. 

The team's overall stats paint a picture of inconsistency with a 28th ranked offense netting only 206 goals and a defense ranked 18th conceding 245. The power play and penalty kill percentages stand at 20.5% and 78.7%, respectively, indicating a need for improvement in special teams. The Capitals will need to tighten the defense and capitalize on offensive opportunities to win.

Buffalo's season mirrors inconsistency, but recent performances, including a victory over Philadelphia, show signs of potential. Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin have been bright spots, with Dahlin contributing 20 goals from the defense. The Sabres have a slightly better defensive record than the Capitals, ranking 13th with 236 goals allowed. However, the offense, though better than Washington's, ranks 20th with 234 goals scored. 

The power play struggles significantly at 16.5%, a factor they must address. Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has shown promise with a .910 save percentage and 2.58 goals against average, providing the Sabres with solid last-line defense.