In this article we will formulate a Lightning vs Sabres prediction for this NHL game on Monday, April 15th at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Lightning recent form and recent player performance
- The Sabres recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Tampa Bay
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Buffalo
- Recent betting trends in games played between Tampa Bay and Buffalo
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between Tampa Bay and Buffalo
Lightning Preview
The Tampa Bay Lightning are 44-28-8 this season after they lost to Washington by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Tampa Bay tied the game at two in the first period, but they allowed the last two goals in the game for the loss. The Lightning recorded 34 shots on goal and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Tampa Bay lost to Ottawa by a score of 3-2 in the game prior to Washington, but did beat Columbus before that. The Lightning are scoring 3.50 goals per game and they are allowing 3.24 goals against per game, while going 28.9% on the power play and 83% on the penalty kill. Nikita Kucherov has led Tampa Bay with 43 goals, 98 assists, and 302 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Tampa Bay is Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is 30-19-2 this year with a 2.88 goals against average and a .900 save percentage.
Sabres Preview
The Buffalo Sabres are 38-37-6 this year after they lost to Florida in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Buffalo tied the game at two in the first period, but couldn’t find any more offense in the loss. The Sabres were out shot by a total of 42-29 and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Buffalo defeated Washington by a score of 4-2 in the game prior to Florida, but lost to Dallas and Detroit before that. The Sabres are scoring 2.96 goals per game and they are allowing 2.98 goals against per game, while going 16.7% on the power play and 79.7% on the penalty kill. Alex Tuch has led Buffalo with 22 goals, 37 assists, and 191 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Buffalo is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who is 27-22-4 this year with a 2.57 goals against average and a .910 save percentage.
Tampa Bay Lightning Team Facts
- The Lightning have lost each of their last five Monday games as favorites.
- The Lightning have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in each of the last 10 games between the Sabres and Lightning.
- The road team has won the third period in each of the last four games between the Sabres and Lightning.
Buffalo Sabres Team Facts
- The home team has won each of the Sabres’ last six games.
- The Sabres have covered the puck line in each of their last six night games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Sabres have lost the first period in five of their last six games as underdogs after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in nine of the Sabres’ last 10 games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
Lightning vs Sabres Prediction
Tampa Bay comes into this game after losing three of their last four games, but they are locked into a playoff berth already. The Lightning have struggled over their last four games, but they are 24-10-5 at home this year. Buffalo has also lost three of their last four games and they have scored two goals or fewer in all three of those losses. The Sabres are 17-18-5 on the road this season, but they have played decently well in their last four road games, despite not seeing many wins. I really don’t like how Tampa Bay is coasting into the playoffs and I think it is very important for them to play a strong game here. Take the Lightning to win by two goals in this matchup.