Buffalo may be a good sportsbook pick as a darkhorse on the strength of Ryan Miller, who has been the best goalie in the NHL all season, and is coming off an MVP performance from the Olympics. After getting a break on Tuesday, Miller will be back between the pipes on Wednesday when Buffalo hosts Washington.

Capitals vs Sabres odds – Wednesday, March 3, 7:00 PM ET

The Capitals lost three straight before the break, and that came after a 14-game winning streak, so the break probably came at a good time. Ovchekin and Alex Semin are coming back from a disappointing run in Vancouver as their Russian team was blasted 7-3 by Canada in the quarterfinals, so they could be eager to back on the horse in the NHL.

The Sabres have a tough return to NHL play, heading to Pittsburgh on Tuesday night (although Miller won’t have to face Sidney Crosby, who scored the game-winning goal for Canada against Miller in the gold-medal game), and then Washington. The Sabres aren’t an offensive juggernaut, and there’s a lot of pressure on Miller, but he’s used to it after the last two weeks.

The Sabres should be favored at home, as all three games that the Capitals lost before the break came on the road. These two have met three times this season, twice in Washington, and the home team has won all three games. Miller will get a huge ovation at home on Wednesday, and that could spark the crowd to get behind the Sabres, who are battling with Ottawa in the Northeast Division. Meanwhile, the Capitals still have problems in goal.

NHL betting pick: Buffalo