Hockey bettors look for value at Verizon Center on Friday as host Washington battles the Buffalo Sabres in hockey odds action.

The Sabres will try to spoil to the party on Friday; they are 17-16-3 this season, while the Capitals are 18-15-2. Buffalo is 16-19-1 on the totals; Washington is 20-15.



View Buffalo vs Washington Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks had installed the Capitals as -155 moneyline favorites in this particular NHL matchup. The total, meanwhile, was set early at 5.5 before betting started to move the line.

Power Rankings:
The Capitals sit at No. 12 in the current NHL power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Sabres sit at a No. 22 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Washington's No. 9-ranked offense, averaging 3 goals per game, against a Sabres defense that ranks No. 21 at 2.9 goals allowed. The Capitals power play is averaging 16.8% while the Sabres defense kills off 84.1% of their penalties.

In their last action, Buffalo was a 3-1 loser on the road against the Devils. Bettors on New Jersey at -120 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (4) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.

Washington won its last outing, a 4-1 result against the Rangers on December 28. Bettors who backed the Capitals at -110 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (5) sent UNDER bettors to the payout window.


Buffalo Sabres Trends:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Colorado are 7-3
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a loss are 5-5

Washington Capitals Trends:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Calgary are 3-7
After playing NY Rangers are 5-5
After a win are 3-7

A few Sabres at Capitals trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Buffalo's last 13 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Buffalo
Washington is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Buffalo
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo


Next up:
Buffalo home to Ottawa, Saturday, December 31
Washington at Columbus, Saturday, December 31