The KeyBank Center will play host to an Atlantic Division showdown as the Tampa Bay Lightning pay a visit to the Buffalo Sabres. MSG Western New York will showcase the game, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 28.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres Odds
Buffalo (+160) is playing the role of underdog to Tampa Bay (-180), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Tampa Bay is 16-7 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 6.3 units this year. 14 of its outings have gone over the total, while nine have gone under and none have pushed. The Bolts are 7-4 SU as a road team in 2017-18.
Tampa Bay enters the match up with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s converted on 26.7 percent of its extra-man opportunities this season. Its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.3 percent of its penalties.
Tampa Bay, as a collective unit, has been whistled for penalties 4.1 times per game overall during the 2017-18 season, and 3.0 per game over its last five road outings. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 30.6 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Andrei Vasilevskiy (15-4-1) has been the best option in goal for Tampa Bay this season. If Tampa Bay decides to rest him, however, they might roll with Peter Budaj (1-3-1), who has a .867 save percentage and 3.75 goals against average this year.
Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Lightning. Stamkos has 36 points on 10 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Kucherov has 17 goals and 17 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 18 games).
On the other bench, Buffalo is 6-18 straight up (SU) and has already lost 12.4 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 24 regular season matches, 12 of its games have gone under the total, while 10 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the teams 3-8 SU at home.
Buffalo has converted on just 13.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 31st in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 13th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 81.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Buffalo skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Robin Lehner (24.4 saves per game) has been the top choice in goal for Buffalo. Lehner has five wins, 13 losses, and two OT losses to his name and has recorded a mediocre 2.96 goals against average and a poor .905 save percentage this year.
The Sabres offense will be led by Evander Kane (12 goals, 11 assists).
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Sabres, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in four of Buffalo’s last five games.
- Over Buffalo’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-4 in those games).
- The Sabres this season have tallied the 10th-most hits per game (22.2).
