Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Player Props, Picks and Predictions – Thursday, Feb. 29

We have your Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Buffalo Sabres hit the road to face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Buffalo Sabres (27-28-4) are set to clash with the Tampa Bay Lightning (32-24-5) in a matchup that could have significant playoff implications. As both teams fight for a stronger foothold in the Eastern Conference, this game promises to be a fierce contest.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds Info

Moneyline: Buffalo Sabres +140 (PointsBet) / Tampa Bay Lightning -160 (BetMGM)

Puck Line: -1.5 – Buffalo Sabres -170 (PointsBet) / Tampa Bay Lightning +150 (BetMGM)

Total: 6.5 – -110 (PointsBet) / +100 (BetMGM)

Game Info

Date: Thursday, Feb. 29

Time: 07:00 PM

Location: Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL

TV: ESPN+

Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

• This season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 23 overs and 36 unders.
• On the road this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 13 overs and 16 unders.
• As the underdog this season, the Buffalo Sabres have hit 15 overs and 21 unders.

Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends

• This season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 30 overs and 31 unders.
• At home this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 17 overs and 12 unders.
• As the favorite this season, the Tampa Bay Lightning have hit 17 overs and 18 unders.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Over the course of the last two seasons, the Buffalo Sabres and Tampa Bay Lightning have faced off six times, with each team securing three victories apiece. These matchups have been evenly split between home and away wins, with both the Sabres and the Lightning winning three games each on their home ice. When it comes to betting statistics, both teams have also evenly split the outcomes against the spread, each covering three times. The over/under betting results have shown a tendency towards higher-scoring games, with the over hitting four times compared to the under hitting twice. Throughout these encounters, the games have been competitive, with the final score spread ranging from a 1-point to a 3.5-point difference. The closing moneyline has indicated the favorite in each game, with the lowest moneyline reflecting the favored team. The total score across these games has varied, with the highest-scoring game totaling 11 points and the lowest at 4 points, demonstrating a range of offensive outputs from both teams.

The most recent game between the two teams took place on January 20, 2024, where the Tampa Bay Lightning emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres. In this game, the Lightning managed to outperform the Sabres in several key areas. They were particularly effective in penalty killing, successfully defending against two power play opportunities for the Sabres. The Lightning also showed their strength in the faceoff circle, winning 53.1% of the faceoffs. The game saw Nicholas Paul, Tyler Motte, and Calvin de Haan scoring for the Lightning, with Paul also contributing an assist. On the Sabres’ side, Dylan Cozens scored the lone goal, assisted by JJ Peterka and Rasmus Dahlin. The Lightning’s goaltender, Jonas Johansson, had an impressive game with a save percentage of 0.963, stopping 26 out of 27 shots on goal. The Sabres’ goaltender, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, saved 13 out of 16 shots, resulting in a save percentage of 0.867. This game continued the trend of closely contested matches between these two teams, setting the stage for another exciting encounter in their upcoming game.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Predictions

The Sabres, despite their sub-.500 record, have shown they can compete with top teams, and a win against the Lightning could provide a much-needed morale boost. With JJ Peterka leading the team in goals and Rasmus Dahlin contributing the most points, Buffalo’s offense has potential, but consistency has been an issue. The Sabres will need to tighten up defensively, as they currently rank in the bottom half of the league in goals against, which could be problematic against Tampa Bay’s potent attack.

Tampa Bay, on the other hand, has been finding its rhythm, with star forward Nikita Kucherov leading the team in goals, assists, and points. The Lightning’s offensive firepower is well-known, and they sit comfortably in the top half of the league in goals scored. However, they’ve been struggling on the defensive end, which could give the Sabres an opening. The Lightning will look to capitalize on their home-ice advantage at Amalie Arena, where they’ve compiled an impressive record this season.

This game will likely come down to key player matchups and special teams performance. Both teams have players capable of changing the game on a dime, and it will be interesting to see how Sabres’ top scorer Dahlin matches up against Lightning’s defensive units. Additionally, the performance of both goaltenders will be critical, as each team will look to exploit the other’s defensive vulnerabilities. With the playoffs on the horizon, neither team can afford to leave points on the table, making this an important contest for both sides.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick

Considering the recent trends and the over/under line set at 6.5, the under seems to be the more compelling pick for this matchup. The Buffalo Sabres have been trending towards the under on the road, hitting it 16 times out of 29 games. Moreover, their overall season trend leans towards the under, with 36 unders against 23 overs. The Tampa Bay Lightning, while offensively potent, have also seen a balanced over/under record this season, with 31 unders to their name. Additionally, the last game between these two teams resulted in a total of only 4 goals, indicating that when these teams meet, a defensive battle ensues more often than not.

Furthermore, both teams have demonstrated defensive capabilities that could stifle the opposing offense. The Lightning’s recent home record shows a tendency towards the under, with 12 unders in 29 games. With both teams aware of the high stakes as the playoffs approach, a tighter, more cautious game is likely to unfold. The goaltending matchup also suggests a lower-scoring affair, with both netminders capable of stealing games. Taking into account these factors, the under is the more prudent pick for this Eastern Conference showdown.

The Pick: Under 6.5 -110 (PointsBet)

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Player Prop Picks

Here are the players who have hit over their current prop line in at least 7 of their last 10 games.

Buffalo Sabres

Tampa Bay Lightning