Is a High-Scoring Affair on Tap in Washington?

Two of the hottest teams to kick off the season meet in Washington on Friday night as the Capitals entertain the Buffalo Sabres. And while it’s notable that these teams are a combined 18-4-5 to open the season, even more noteworthy (at least from a betting perspective) is the fact that they combine to average better than seven goals per game.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Capitals opened at a whopping -175, but the odds dipped as low as -168 in some places before rebounding in Washington’s favor. The total has remained fixed at 6.5 and will likely stay there given the offensive prowess of these teams.

Buffalo News & Notes

Buffalo’s offense has generated plenty of buzz as the team looks to end its nine-year postseason drought. But the goals have dried up a bit in recent games, with the Sabres having scored just six goals in their last three contests. And a trip to Washington might not help matters – Buffalo has notched just 11 goals in its previous seven visits.

Fortunately for the Sabres, the defense has also been playing well. Buffalo enters Wednesday’s game ranked sixth in the NHL in goals-against average (2.43) while its .926 save percentage ranks behind only the Boston Bruins (.934). But some regression could be in the offing in the GAA department if Buffalo continues to allow 33.5 shots per game (sixth-most in the NHL).

Washington News & Notes

The Capitals rank third in the NHL in goals per game entering Wednesday night – and while Alex Ovechkin has predictably been a major factor (11 goals in 14 games), he certainly isn’t alone. Defenseman John Carlson (seven goals, 16 assists) ranks among the league leaders in points while four other players have scored at least four goals so far.

But if the Capitals hope to win their second Stanley Cup title in three seasons, they’ll need their goaltending to be a whole lot better than it has been. Washington’s .894 save percentage ranks ninth from the bottom, while Braden Holtby (5-4, 3.55 GAA, .888 SV%) could soon find himself losing playing time to a surging Ilya Samsonov (4-1, 2.46 GAA, .913 SV%).

Betting Pick: OVER 6.5

Both teams are capable of scoring in bunches, and the Capitals’ home-ice edge should negate the Sabres’ goaltending advantage sufficiently to send this one OVER the total.