Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Prediction, 10/24/2026 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals

Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026

Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

TV: MSG Network, Monumental Sports Network

Odds/Point Spread: Sabres (+111) Capitals (-125)

Capital One Arena is the site where the Washington Capitals (5-4-0) will attempt to beat the Buffalo Sabres (4-4-2) on Saturday. The line on this matchup has the Sabres at +111 and the Capitals are priced at -125. The total is set at 6.5.

The Buffalo Sabres will need a bounce back game after taking a 3-1 defeat against the Flyers in their previous outing. Buffalo amassed 25 penalty minutes for this matchup. The Sabres had an offensive game that was below their expectations in the loss. Moreover, they had 3 opportunities with more players on the ice and were able to net 1 goal. For the matchup, they tallied a score on 1 out of the 28 shots they attempted.

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Buffalo Sabres opponents have earned 36 power play opportunities (15th in pro hockey) and have come away with 12 goals in those attempts. The Sabres have seen 258 shots taken against them and hold a save percentage of .860. Buffalo has attempted 269 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.4%. When playing at even strength, the Sabres let the opposition score 24 goals while getting 24 themselves. Buffalo is sitting with 36 power play chances and they have notched 4 goals during those advantages, garnering them a rate of 11.11%. For the season, they have accumulated 10 points and their points percentage is sitting at .500. In relation to their goal scoring prowess, the Buffalo Sabres have notched 28 goals (22nd in pro hockey) over the course of the season and have surrendered 36.

Protecting the goal for this matchup will be Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Over the course of his pro career, Luukkonen has 103 quality starts and his quality starts percentage is .536. He has a save percentage of .899 for his 10,930 mins guarding the cage. Luukkonen has seen 5,568 shots against him and has recorded 5,005 saves. Opponents have been able to score 565 goals versus Luukkonen in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.94. He has compiled a win-loss mark of 96-77-20 and he was named the starter in 192 games. Luukkonen has taken the ice for 198 games during his NHL career.

In their last game, Washington played the Kings in a game where the Capitals went home in defeat by a score of 5-2. They had 4 opportunities on the power play in this matchup and converted 1 out of those chances. The Capitals converted 2 goals out of the 32 shots on goal they attempted.

Washington has put up 241 shots (26th in the league) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 12.45%, while allowing their opponents 263 shots. They have a penalty kill percentage of 80.00% on the other teams 30 power play tries, and their save percentage is 89.0%. They have earned 25 opportunities on the power play and they have earned a power play percentage of 20.00%. The Capitals are sitting with 25 goals at even strength and 5 goals (24th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have allowed 29 goals to be scored by of a combination of 23 goals at even strength and 6 goals while they were shorthanded. During this campaign, the Washington Capitals have accumulated 30 goals, 10 points, in addition to a points percentage of .556.

Across the ice you will find Logan Thompson defending the net. Thompson has compiled a lifetime mark of 122-62-23 and has played in 211 games. Thompson's quality start percentage sits at 62.4% and he has 126 quality starts in his NHL career. He has compiled 5,433 saves out of 5,962 shots taken against him, giving him a percentage of .911. Opponents are averaging 2.62 goals/game and he has surrendered 529 goals altogether. He has been a starter 202 contests and his ice time sits at 11,920 mins.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Buffalo (+111)

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