Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction and Odds: Buffalo in Danger of Losing Three Straight

The Tampa Bay Lightning (2-2-1) are the defending Stanley Cup Champions, but they are still trying to get their feet under them in 2021-22. The Lightning lost their last two games at home, both to quality teams in the Colorado Avalanche and the Florida Panthers, but will start a quick two game road trip with the Buffalo Sabres tonight.

Andrei Vasilevskiy (2-2-1, 3.13 GAA, .893 SV%) is expected to start in net for Tampa Bay once again. Vasilevskiy has carried the load in net for the Lightning this season, and could certainly use a day off soon.

The Sabres (3-1-1) have started their season spectacularly all things considered. With star center Jack Eichel on the shelf with a neck injury and surrounded with trade rumors, it was expected for this team to finish near the bottom of the standings. It’s early, but the Sabres have been staving off their plummet. 

Craig Anderson (2-1-0, 2.01 GAA, .933 SV%) will be in net for Buffalo. The 40-year old Anderson has done well this season, but showed signs of fatigue in his last outing against the Boston Bruins, allowing three goals on 25 shots.

Here are the odds for this matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Lightning vs. Sabres Odds and Total

Moneyline:

• Lightning -200
• Sabres +180

Puck Line:

• Lightning -1.5 (+120)
• Sabres +1.5 (-140)

Total: 6 (Over -110/Under -110)

Lightning vs. Sabres Prediction and Pick

The Sabres have played well, but I think they will begin falling down the standings where they belong. 

Buffalo will still be without Eichel and center Casey Mittelstadt tonight, and this offense will start to flatten out. The Sabres 29.4 percent success rate on their power play seems a little too high, and the Lightning’s 16.7 percent on their power play appears too low. I believe those numbers will flip soon.

If Vasilevskiy can get some help from the Tampa Bay defense, and return to form from previous years, the Lightning should be able to handle this overachieving Buffalo team.

I’m taking the Lightning on the puck line at -1.5 (+120) and the over 6.