The Tampa Bay Lightning (44-26-5, fourth in the Eastern Conference) take on an opponent at the opposite end of the standings, the Buffalo Sabres (32-36-6, 15th in the Eastern Conference), on Saturday, April 5 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
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Here is our prediction for who will secure the win in Saturday's matchup.
The Sabres have put up a 7-3-0 record in their past 10 contests. They have scored 41 total goals (eight power-play goals on 29 power-play opportunities during that time, for a conversion rate of 27.6%) while allowing 33 goals to their opponents.
Lightning vs. Sabres Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this encounter expects a final result of Lightning 4, Sabres 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-215)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Sabres (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning are 44-26-5 overall and 6-5-11 in overtime contests.
- Tampa Bay has 19 points (8-9-3) in the 20 games it has played that were decided by one goal.
- In the nine games this season the Lightning registered only one goal, they finished 0-8-1.
- Tampa Bay has scored a pair of goals in 13 games this season (2-9-2 record, six points).
- The Lightning are 42-7-2 in the 51 games when they have scored more than two goals (to record 86 points).
- In the 29 games when Tampa Bay has capitalized on a lone power-play goal, it registered 41 points after finishing 20-8-1.
- In the 39 games this season in which it has outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 23-16-0 (46 points).
- The Lightning's opponents have had more shots in 32 games. The Lightning finished 20-7-5 in those matchups (45 points).
Sabres Splits and Trends
- The Sabres have a 6-6-12 record in overtime matchups this season and a 32-36-6 overall record.
- Buffalo has earned 27 points (11-7-5) in its 23 games decided by one goal.
- This season the Sabres scored just one goal in nine games and they've earned two points (1-8-0) in those contests.
- When Buffalo has scored two goals this season, they've earned three points (1-14-1 record).
- The Sabres have earned 65 points in their 46 games with three or more goals scored.
- This season, Buffalo has scored a lone power-play goal in 29 games and registered 23 points with a record of 11-17-1.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Buffalo is 12-13-2 (26 points).
- The Sabres have been outshot by opponents in 46 games, going 20-22-4 to record 44 points.
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Team Stats Comparison
| Lightning Rank | Lightning AVG | Sabres AVG | Sabres Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | 3.56 | Goals Scored | 3.26 | 8th |
| 4th | 2.61 | Goals Allowed | 3.54 | 29th |
| 11th | 28.7 | Shots | 27.3 | 23rd |
| 14th | 28 | Shots Allowed | 28.9 | 23rd |
| 8th | 25.12% | Power Play % | 18.31% | 26th |
| 5th | 82.11% | Penalty Kill % | 76.34% | 22nd |
Lightning vs. Sabres Game Time and TV Channel
- When: Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo (Regional restrictions may apply)
- Where: KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York
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