Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 24, 2026
The Buffalo Sabres will travel to Washington, D.C., Saturday evening for an Eastern Conference matchup against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM Eastern, with ESPN+ coverage. Buffalo comes into this matchup 4-4-2 thus far this season, having lost three of its last four games, including two in a row after a two-goal loss to Philadelphia in its last outing. The Washington Capitals stay home Saturday at 5-4 this season after dropping three of their last five games, including a three-goal loss to Los Angeles last time out that ended a two-game winning streak. Washington comes into Saturday as a -142 home favorite. Buffalo is a +110 underdog, and the total is set at 6.5. Stay in the action with our NHL Picks.
Buffalo needs a road win
The Buffalo Sabres offense has been lackluster this season, averaging 2.8 goals on 26.9 shots per game. Defensively, Buffalo is allowing 3.6 goals on 25.7 shots per game, and they've given up 11 goals across their last three losses. Jack Quinn leads the Buffalo offense this season with 10 points, and he has posted a team-high five goals. Tage Thompson is second on the roster with nine points this season. Owen Power is third on the team with eight points, and he leads the way with six assists this year.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was bad in net for Buffalo last time out, giving up three goals on 27 shots to post a .889 save percentage. Jason Zucker was the only life in the Buffalo offense with one goal on three shots in just over 12 minutes of game time.
Key Injury Report for Buffalo:
- Justin Danforth (Day-To-Day) - Oct 24
- Sam Carrick (IR) - Oct 24
- Alex Lyon (IR) - Oct 3
- Matt Grzelcyk (IR) - Oct 24
- Conor Timmins (IR) - OCt 24
Washington looks to defend their ice
The Washington Capitals offense has been solid this season, averaging 3.33 goals on 26.8 shots per game, but they've scored just seven total goals across their last three losses. Defensively, Washington has had its issues, giving up 3.22 goals on 29.2 shots per game. Ryan Leonard is leading the Washington offense this season with eight points. Alex Tuch is second on the team with seven points, and he leads the way with five goals. Jordan Kyrou and Dylan Strome are both tied for third on the team with six points apiece, and Strome leads the team with five assists.
Logan Thompson struggled for Washington last time out, giving up four goals on 25 shots to post a .840 save percentage in just over 58 minutes before Los Angeles found the empty net. Cole Hutson and Ryan Leonard led the Washington offense, scoring one goal each.
Key Injury Report for Washington:
- Vincent Desharnais (Out) - Dec 5
- Pierre-Luc Dubois (IR) - Oct 24
- Logan Thompson (Day-To-Day) - Oct 24
- Justin Sourdif (Day-To-Day) - Oct 24
- Rasmus Sandin (IR-LT) - Dec 26
Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Picks and Prediction
Pick: Washington Capitals
Washington enters Saturday's matchup with an opportunity to take advantage of a Buffalo team that can be vulnerable when opponents establish consistent pressure in the offensive zone. The Capitals have the experience and offensive personnel necessary to control stretches of this game, particularly if Alex Ovechkin and the rest of Washington's scoring group can generate quality opportunities around the net. Buffalo has enough speed and offensive talent to create problems in transition, but the Sabres will need to limit turnovers and avoid allowing Washington to establish extended possessions. The Capitals should benefit from playing at home, where they can dictate matchups and look to keep Buffalo's dangerous forwards from finding open space. Washington's ability to generate scoring chances through sustained offensive pressure should ultimately provide the difference. Take the Capitals to secure the home victory.
Pick: Under 6.5
Although both teams have offensive talent, this matchup could become more of a defensive battle than a high-scoring contest. Washington should look to control possession and limit Buffalo's opportunities to generate offense through the neutral zone. The Sabres will need to be disciplined defensively, particularly when dealing with Washington's experienced forwards and dangerous power play. Neither team will want to spend extended periods defending in its own zone, which could lead to a more calculated approach offensively. Goaltending should also play an important role, especially if both teams are able to keep opponents from creating second-chance opportunities around the crease. Expect Washington to establish enough offensive pressure to win without necessarily turning this into a shootout. Take the under Saturday evening.