Tampa Bay Lightning vs
Buffalo SabresPredictions & Preview

Lightning Favored in Critical Matchup against Sabres in Western New York, Buffalo's Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

In this upcoming matchup between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Buffalo Sabres in Western New York, the Lightning are favored with a current line of -193 after their recent loss to Ottawa. The last 10 meetings between the teams have resulted in a 5-2-3 advantage for the Lightning, including a close 6-5 win in their most recent matchup. Buffalo, coming off a win against Ottawa, will be looking to improve their record in this critical game. Stay tuned for our Lightning vs. Sabres prediction for insights on this exciting matchup.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Lightning -193 | Sabres +169
• Spread: Lightning -1.5 (+127) | Sabres +1.5 (-150)
• Total: Over/Under 6.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Tampa Bay will win straight-up is 66%.

Tampa Bay vs Buffalo Stats

Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning had won four straight games before their recent loss to Ottawa. They currently have a season record of 44-26-5 and are ranked second in the Atlantic Division, three points behind Toronto. Their offense is among the best in the league, with an average of 3.62 goals per game, while their defense ranks fifth, allowing an average of 2.65 goals per game. Despite a strong performance defensively against Ottawa, the Lightning fell short in a low-scoring game. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to start in their next game.

Buffalo Sabres Analysis

Buffalo Sabres secured a victory against Ottawa, marking their second consecutive win and their fifth in the last six games. They currently stand at 32-36-6 for the season, ranking seventh in the Atlantic Division. Despite being 22 points behind the Panthers for a playoff spot, Buffalo's offense ranks 8th in the league, averaging 3.26 goals per game. However, their defense ranks 29th, allowing 3.54 goals per game. In terms of special teams, the Sabres have a 26th ranked power play at 18.3% and a 23rd ranked penalty kill at 76.3%. In their recent match against Ottawa, Buffalo dominated with a 6-2 win, with goals from Tuch, Dahlin, Thompson, Krebs, and McLeod. Reimer's solid goaltending performance secured the victory, making 33 saves. The Sabres are anticipated to continue their winning momentum with Reimer in goal for the next game. Their power ranking is currently 27, and they have a challenging matchup ahead against Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Lightning in Strong Position as Buffalo Sabres Playoff Hopes Waver

The Buffalo Sabres have recently shown strength in their performance, however, their playoff hopes are currently uncertain. If they do not see a sudden improvement in their performance, they could potentially miss the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season. The Tampa Bay Lightning, in contrast, are in a competitive position within the Atlantic Division, trailing the Toronto Maple Leafs by three points for first place and leading the Florida Panthers by one point for second place. This advantageous position could secure them home ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. With their powerful offense and solid defense following the trade deadline, the Lightning are well-equipped for success. Their strong position in the division provides motivation for them to secure a victory on the road.

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