- Matchup: Washington Capitals vs Buffalo Sabres
- Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, NY
- Broadcast: MSG Network
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The Buffalo Sabres (40-19-6) will host the Washington Capitals (32-26-7) at the KeyBank Center on Thursday.
In their previous contest, the Washington Capitals secured a convincing 7-3 victory over the Flames. The Capitals faced just 2 penalty minutes during this match. Their performance was commendable, scoring on 1 of 3 power play opportunities and totaling 7 goals from 29 shots.
On the offensive front, the Washington Capitals have scored 206 goals (ranking 14th in the league) while conceding 190. In the current season, they sit with 71 points and a points percentage of .546. Washington has drawn 195 power play opportunities, capitalizing on 32 of them, resulting in a power play conversion rate of 16.41%. At even strength, they have allowed 146 goals, while netting 174 on their own. With 1,884 shots taken, the Capitals boast a shooting percentage of 10.9%, while their opponents have launched 1,824 shots at them, leading to a save percentage of .896. The Capitals’ opponents have been awarded 206 power play chances (ranking 3rd in the NHL), scoring 44 goals during those situations.
Expected to guard the net for this matchup is Charlie Lindgren. With 168 games under his belt, Lindgren holds a win-loss record of 81-60-18 and has started in 158 contests. Over his career, he has faced 458 goals against, averaging 2.90 goals allowed per game. He has faced 4,697 shots, achieving a total of 4,239 saves, giving him a career save percentage of .902 across 7,944 minutes played. Lindgren has recorded 81 quality starts, with a quality start percentage of .513.
Most recently, the Buffalo Sabres triumphed over the Sharks with a 6-3 scoreline. They managed 6 goals from 26 shots on target and had a single power play opportunity during that game but failed to convert.
The Sabres have scored 187 goals at even strength and 41 while on the power play (15th in the league). They have made 1,825 shot attempts (15th in NHL) with a shooting percentage of 12.49%, allowing 1,938 shots against. For this season, the Buffalo Sabres have accumulated 228 goals, resulting in 86 points and a points percentage of .662. They have given up 196 goals, consisting of 165 goals at even strength and 31 while short-handed. The team has secured 197 power play opportunities, showcasing a power play success rate of 20.81% while achieving an 82.49% penalty kill rate against 177 opposition chances, with a save percentage of 89.9%.
In goal, fans can expect to see Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He faces an average of 2.96 goals per game, having surrendered a total of 518 goals throughout his career. Luukkonen boasts a quality start percentage of 54.3%, with 95 quality starts in his career. He has participated in 175 games, accumulating 8,274 minutes between the pipes. His overall record stands at 86-72-17, having played 180 games. He has made 4,596 saves from 5,114 shots faced, achieving a save percentage of .899.
Who do you think will claim victory in tonight’s NHL face-off against the spread or moneyline?
Pick: Choose Washington
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