In this article, we will formulate a Sabres vs Lightning Prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, April 5th at the Climate Pledge Arena. Let’s take a look at a Buffalo Sabres vs Tampa Bay Lightning picks.
How Do the Lightning Bounce Back?
The Lightning in the last game faced off against the Ottawa Senators and they only scored a goal while the defense gave up two, and that led to the defeat. The goatlenidng wasn’t actually that bad, the offense just didn’t have many quality scoring chances. Brandon Hagel scored he only goal for the Lightning. Andrei Vasilevsky save 17 of the 19 shots that he faced. Two games ago against the New York Islanders, the Lightning ended up picking up the 4-1 victory.
The Lightning are averaging 3.56 goals while their defense is giving up 2.61 goals per game The offense is ranked 2nd in the league while the defense is ranked 4th. Nikita Kucherov has been the top player for the Lightning, scoring 33 goals and adding 78 assists so far this season. Andrei Vasilevsky is going to get the start in this game and he currently sits with a 36-20-3 record and he is giving up 2.16 goals per game.
Sabres Offense Has Impressd
The Sabres have impressed the last couple of games, and they have won two games in a row. Two games ago, against the Washington Capitals, they won 8-5, and in the last game against the Ottawa Senators, they won 5-2. James Reimer was in goal and he saved 33 of the 35 shots that he faced. In this game, if the Sabres want to find success, they are going to need that offense to continue that success.
The Sabres are averaging 3.26 goals while their defense is giving up 3.54 goals per game. The offense is ranked 8th in the league while the defense is ranked 29th. This offense has been good, but the defense has been the biggest issue. James Reimer is expected to start in goal for the Sabres and he sits with a 7-8-2 record and he’s giving up 3.0 goals per game. The Sabres have won the last five games that he has been in goal.
Why the Sabres Will Beat the Lightning
- The Sabres have won each of their last five games as home underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Lightning have lost nine of their last 16 games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in 14 of their last 15 games as home underdogs.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games following a road loss.
- The Lightning have lost the third period in four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents when trailing after the second period.
Sabres vs Lightning Prediction
The Sabres are going to put on a show here with Reimer. The Sabres offense has been heading into this game, but just as important has been the way that Reimer has been playing in goal. He has been strong, and he’s going to step up again here. The Lightning are probably still the more talented team, but the goaltending for Reimer has helped lead to success as of late and the Lightning are going to struggle to get the offense going. Back the Sabres on the money line to cash.