Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 24 2026
Buffalo had a chance to keep its early-season momentum going Wednesday. Instead, the Sabres lost 3-1 to a Philadelphia team that hadn’t won a game until a few days earlier. Now Buffalo heads to Washington, where the Capitals have had their own problems finding consistency. Neither club has been particularly convincing. That usually makes for an interesting betting game, especially when the moneyline is almost even.
The Sabres visit the Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET, with Monumental Sports Network carrying the game locally. Washington is a slight favorite around -102, with Buffalo near +102. The total is 6.5 goals. Check our free NHL picks for more hockey predictions.
Buffalo Sabres Need More Than One Goal
Buffalo is 4-4-2 after losing 3-1 to Philadelphia on Wednesday. The Sabres had been earning points regularly before that defeat, going 2-0-2 in their previous four games. They weren’t completely outplayed by the Flyers, but they spent most of the night trying to overcome an early 2-0 deficit.
Buffalo put 28 shots on goal against Philadelphia and still scored only once. The Sabres had chances, particularly late with the extra attacker, but Dan Vladar made the saves he needed. Buffalo’s power play got its goal, while the offense at even strength couldn’t finish. That needs to change against Washington. The Capitals have enough scoring ability that one goal probably won’t be enough.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Jason Zucker returned from sports hernia surgery and scored Buffalo’s only goal Wednesday. Rasmus Dahlin also returned after missing four games with an upper-body injury, which is a big deal for the Sabres’ defense and puck movement. Jack Quinn helped set up Zucker’s power-play goal, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 23 shots. Getting Zucker and Dahlin back should help, but Buffalo needs better finishing from the rest of its forwards.
Washington Capitals Have Some Young Players Producing
Washington is 5-4-0 through nine games. The Capitals lost 5-2 to Los Angeles on Tuesday, allowing the Kings to pick up their first victory of the season. That’s not the sort of result Washington wanted before beginning a stretch of games against Eastern Conference opponents.
The Capitals have been getting offense from their younger players, which is encouraging. They also need to tighten things up defensively. Los Angeles entered Tuesday without a victory and still scored five times. Washington can’t afford to let Buffalo get comfortable around the crease, particularly now that the Sabres have some important players returning to the lineup.
Ryan Leonard scored his fourth goal of the season against the Kings and has eight points through nine games, leading Washington. Cole Hutson also scored Tuesday and has five points, including two goals and three assists. Leonard, Hutson and Ilya Protas have combined for 18 points through nine games. Alex Ovechkin remains the veteran presence everybody has to account for, but Washington is getting meaningful help from its younger group.
Buffalo Sabres vs Washington Capitals Picks and Predictions
Washington Capitals Moneyline (-102)
I’ll take Washington at home. Buffalo getting Dahlin and Zucker back makes the Sabres more dangerous, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they played better than they did against Philadelphia. But the Capitals have had a couple of days to work on what went wrong against Los Angeles, and Leonard is giving them a spark offensively. With the price this close to even, I’ll back Washington to respond.
Under 6.5 Goals (-127)
I’ll play under 6.5. Buffalo scored once against Philadelphia, and Washington managed two against Los Angeles. Both teams can score more than that, but neither offense has been particularly reliable lately. The Sabres have also been getting decent goaltending from Luukkonen. The danger is a loose defensive game with plenty of penalties. At 6.5, though, I like having room for a 3-2 or 4-2 finish. Washington 3, Buffalo 2 is my call.
Final Picks: Washington Capitals Moneyline (-102) and Under 6.5 Goals (-127)
This preview was completed October 23, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and starting goaltenders may change before puck drop.
Never Tried Picks and Parlays? Now Is Your Chance
- Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code BUCK
- If the pick loses, we credit your account with 3 Flex Picks
- If the pick wins, we still give you 1 Flex Pick on the house
- Win or lose, you walk away ahead. One dollar. No catch.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
New DraftKings Customers: Bet $5, Get $200 + 3 Months of NBA League Pass!
