Sports Betting Overview

If you like grudge matches, then you won’t want to miss this hockey game. When the Washington Capitals visited the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, NY last week, the team was still trying to adjust to the style of new head coach Dale Hunter. The team was also trying to slow its free fall in the standings as it now sits in third place in the Southeast Division, according to the price per head bookie experts. A team is a reflection of its coach, and Dale Hunter is remembered as one of the premier cheap shot artists in the history of the game. Hunter will always be remembered as the guy that seriously injured Pierre Turgeon after Turgeon had scored an important goal in the playoffs against the Capitals. Hunter was known more for his sneak attacks than his motivation and determination, which is why he is an interesting choice for the head coach of any NHL team.

The Buffalo Sabres are drowning as well. After new owner Terry Pegula all but promised Sabres fans the Stanley Cup when he bought the team, the price per head bookmaking stats show the Sabres currently out of the playoff race and falling fast. But the last time Buffalo played Washington, the Sabres were in complete control of the game for the first period and the third period. It frustrated the Capitals so much that they started taking Dale Hunter-like cheap shots at the Sabres’ players. The biggest offender was team captain Alex Ovechkin. Now the Sabres get a chance to address Ovechkin’s actions in the rematch. It could be that, or the Capitals get to avenge their loss to the Sabres last week. With these two teams, you never know.

Buffalo Sabres

There is nothing consistent about the Buffalo Sabres except for fan disappointment. The Sabres continue to lose games in bunches while throwing in the occasional win here and there. The Sabres’ defense is porous and the goaltending is indecisive. A betonline.com review of the Sabres’ record in the last 10 games shows a pathetic 3-5-2. It is hard to say what can turn this team around, but there are rumors floating around that changes could be in the air in Buffalo. The only problem is that there are so many issues to address that no one can guess as to what the changes will actually be.

Washington Capitals

The Caps look like they just don’t care. The players have already gotten one coach fired and look determined to get a second coach fired before the season is out. The NHL fans in Washington see the disinterested play of the team and that makes the fans disinterested. Dale Hunter was supposed to use his feistiness and energy to revitalize the team. The problem is that you can cheap shot a team into playing better. It requires real coaching skills.

The Bottom Line

These two teams have scores to settle and they both desperately need wins. The Capitals have been through change and it has not had any effect on its play. The Sabres know change is coming, but no one seems concerned. This could very well be the game that wakes both of these teams up.

Pick: Washington Capitals