Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Sabres and Lightning. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Lightning at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 6.5 goals, and the Lightning are favored by -1.5 against the Sabres in a Atlantic division matchup.

BUFFALO SABRES VS TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING BETTING PICK

The Pick: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5

This game will be played at Amalie Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, February 29th.

WHY BET THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING:

  • With the Lightning being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Lightning.
  • Take the Lightning on the moneyline
  • On the spread, we like Sabres (+1.5)

Will the Sabres Make it Happen on the Road?

Buffalo enters the game with a record of 27-28-4, which has them in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and 6th in the Atlantic Division. On the road, the Sabres have gone 14-12-3, and they have been the underdog in 36 of their 59 games.

Over their last ten games, Buffalo has gone 5-5, and they have won two straight games when favored. In the Eastern Conference, the Sabres have gone 16-20 this season.

Buffalo comes into the game with a puck line record of 31-28 and their average scoring margin sits at -.1 goals per game. So far, the Sabres have been the underdog in 36 games and have a puck line record of 24-12 in those games.

When looking at their last ten games, the Sabres have gone 5-5 against the puck line, and their average scoring margin on the road is -.1 goals per game. In their last ten road games, Buffalo’s puck line record is 6-4.

This season, Buffalo’s games have an average of 5.9 goals per game. The average over/under number for the season is 6.5. The Sabres come in with an over/under performance of 23-34-2.

Across their three previous road games, Buffalo has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 2-1 while averaging 2 goals per game.

The Sabres come into the game scoring an average of 2.9 goals per game, putting them 21st in the NHL. Regarding shots targeted at the goal per game, they are 10th in the league. In terms of power play goals, the Sabres offense is 27th in power play goals. As for shorthanded goals, they are 19th in the NHL.

Buffalo’s leading scorer is JJ Peterka. So far, he has 19 goals which is 66th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 18 assists so far.

Defensively, the Lightning are currently 16th in goals allowed. On average, opponents are taking 29.5 shots per game against Tampa Bay. They also are 15th in shutouts, coming in with 3 shutouts.

Entering the game, goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has started 32 games this season. His current record stands at 17-15, and his save percentage is 0.776%.

Will the Lightning Win at Amalie Arena?

At home this season, the Lightning have gone 18-8-3, and they have been favored in 35 of their 61 games. In the Eastern Conference standings, Tampa Bay is in 8th place and 5th in the Atlantic Division. Over their last ten games, the Lightning have gone 5-5, and they have won two of their last three games.

Overall, the Lightning have a record of 32-24-5, and they have earned 69 points. In games against other Eastern Conference teams, Tampa Bay has gone 16-18, and they have gone 6-10 against teams in the Atlantic Division. When favored this season, the Lightning have gone 22-12-1.

When favored this year, the Lightning have gone 16-19 against the puck line, and they have gone 31-30 on the season. So far, Tampa Bay has 23 wins by multiple goals and 9 wins by one goal.

This year, the team’s average scoring differential is at .7 goals per game, and their average scoring differential at home is at +.7 goals per game. In their last ten games at home, the Lightning have gone 6-4 against the puck line.

Games involving Tampa Bay have an average of 6.8 goals per game this season. Their average over/under line is 6.5. In terms of their over/under performance, the Lightning come in with a record of 28-29-4.

Through their last three road games, Buffalo has an puck line record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 2-1 while averaging 2 goals per game.

On the offensive side, the Lightning are scoring an 3.4 goals per game this season, ranking 6th in the NHL. When it came to shots on target per game, they are 18th in the league. Looking at how the Lightning’s offense is performing during power plays, they are 1st in power play goals and 29th in shorthanded goals.

Tampa Bay will be looking for a good game from Nikita Kucherov who leads the team in scoring with 38 goals, ranking 5th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 65 assists so far.

The Lightning defense is currently 16th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 29.5 shots per game against Tampa Bay. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 15th with 3 shutouts.

Heading into this matchup vs. Buffalo, goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has started 35 games in this season. His current record is 20-15, and his save percentage stands at 0.794%.