NHL – FREE PLAY: Capitals (43) vs. Sabres (44)

Anytime a team is on the back end of playing two nights in a row, I always give that game a bit of a longer look to try and find an advantage for the team playing with rest. One thing working in the Sabres favor for their Saturday night clash with the Capitals is that they’re facing Charlie Lindgren in net and not Logan Thompson. Lindgren was one of the best backups in the league last season, but is off to a 1-2-0 start with a 3.72 GAA and an .882 save percentage. Alex Lyon is the likely starter for Buffalo and has provided them with a steady presence in the crease that gives them a chance most nights. The Sabres have played well their last three games, but have had their hearts broken in Overtime (all 4-3 losses) in all three games. Buffalo got off to a bad start in their season opener, but played better in their next two games before getting their first win. I see a similar pattern happening here, and I think they’ll break through against a Capitals team getting in late on Friday night after their game against the Islanders.