NHL Game Preview: Washington Capitals (6-5-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (4-4-3)

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Buffalo Sabres logo

Venue & Game Info

Location: KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14203

Puckdrop: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT

Broadcast: ESPN+, MSG Network (Buffalo), Monumental Sports Network (Washington)

Injury Report

Washington Capitals:

Ethen Frank – Out (undisclosed)

Rasmus Sandin – Out (upper body)

Dylan Strome – Out (lower body)

Buffalo Sabres:

No major injuries reported

Team Recent Form

Washington Capitals:

Last 5: L-L-L-W-W

Goals per game: 2.6 (26th NHL)

Goals allowed: 2.3 (2nd NHL)

Power play: 16.7% (24th NHL)

Penalty kill: 82.0% (12th NHL)

Notable: Offense has gone cold, scoring just 2 goals in last 3 games

Buffalo Sabres:

Last 5: L-L-L-W-W

Goals per game: 3.0 (19th NHL)

Goals allowed: 3.2 (19th NHL)

Power play: 21.6% (14th NHL)

Penalty kill: 77.0% (20th NHL)

Notable: Earned points in 3 straight OT games despite losses

Player Matchups

Alex Ovechkin (WSH) vs. Alex Tuch (BUF)

Ovechkin: Still chasing milestone goals, but offense has slowed; 4 goals, 7 points this season

Tuch: 3 G, 7 A, 10 PTS, driving Buffalo’s top line

Tom Wilson (WSH) vs. Tage Thompson (BUF)

Wilson: Team leader with 6 goals, 12 points

Thompson: 4 G, 5 A, 9 PTS, Buffalo’s most dangerous shooter

Goaltending:

Charlie Lindgren (WSH): Expected starter, 3.50 GAA, .877 SV% in prior matchups vs. Buffalo

Alex Lyon (BUF): Expected starter, steady in recent outings, .910 SV%

Series History

Capitals and Sabres split last season’s series 2-2

Washington has won 6 of the last 10 meetings

Buffalo is 4-2-1 at home this season, giving them a slight edge at KeyBank Center

Betting Trends

Capitals: 2-1-0 on the road; 2-8 O/U this season (low-scoring trend)

Sabres: 5 of 11 games have gone Over 6.5; 4-2-1 at home

Totals: Teams combine for 5.6 goals per game, below the posted total of 6.5

Game Odds

Washington Capitals      6.5

Buffalo Sabres                   – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, October 31, 2025

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