Sabres Battle Capitals: Game 12 Preview and Discussion
The Buffalo Sabres are set to face the Washington Capitals in Game 12 of the NHL season. This matchup will take place at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, at 7:00 PM ET.
Team Records and Performance
- Buffalo Sabres: 4-4-3, 11 points
- Washington Capitals: 6-5-0, 12 points
Last Game Highlights
The Capitals come into the game following a 3-1 loss to the New York Islanders. As of now, they sit 6th in the Metro Division.
Conversely, the Sabres have recorded points in their last five games but are winless in the last three. They lost two games in overtime after having leads in the third period.
Key Matchup Insights
Special Teams Performance
- Power Play: Capitals – 18.8% (20th), Sabres – 21.6% (14th)
- Penalty Kill: Capitals – 67.9% (27th), Sabres – 89.5% (3rd)
The Sabres hold the advantage in special teams, with a significantly better penalty kill rate compared to the Capitals.
Veteran Presence vs. Youthful Enthusiasm
The Capitals boast experienced players like Alex Ovechkin, Dylan Strome, and Tom Wilson. Their defensive play is solid, and they play a physical game. However, their special teams are currently underperforming.
Logan Thompson has been exceptional in goal, with a 1.44 GAA and .939 SVP. He is likely to be replaced by Charlie Lindgren for this matchup.
Player Focus
Buffalo Sabres’ Key Players
- Rasmus Dahlin: 1 goal, 8 assists in 11 games but struggles defensively.
- Zach Benson: Point-per-game pace but currently on injured reserve.
- Josh Doan: Contributing consistently with 4 goals and 4 assists.
- Tage Thompson: 4 goals and 5 assists, looking for more consistency.
Isak Rosen has been recalled from Rochester Americans after a strong start in the AHL, while Benson’s absence creates a void in the lineup.
Conclusion
The game between the Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals promises to be intense, with both teams seeking to improve their standings. Buffalo aims to convert points into wins to regain momentum in the season.
