The Tampa Bay Lightning (44-26-5, fourth in the Eastern Conference) square off against 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's our prediction for who will claim the win in Saturday's game.
The Sabres have scored 41 goals over their past 10 outings, while giving up 33 goals. A total of 29 power-play opportunities during that time have netted eight power-play goals (27.6%). They are 7-3-0 over those games.
Lightning vs. Sabres Predictions for Saturday
Our computer projection model for this contest predicts a final result of Lightning 4, Sabres 3.
- Moneyline Pick: Lightning (-200)
- Total Pick: No Pick - Predicted Margin Negligible
- Spread Pick: Sabres (+1.5)
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Lightning Splits and Trends
- The Lightning have a 44-26-5 record overall, with a 6-5-11 record in contests that have needed overtime.
- 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 scored only one goal, they finished 0-8-1.
- Tampa Bay has scored two goals in 13 games this season (2-9-2 record, six points).
- The Lightning have scored at least three goals in 51 games (42-7-2, 86 points).
- In the 29 games when Tampa Bay has scored a single power-play goal, it has a 20-8-1 record (41 points).
- In the 39 games when it outshot its opponent, Tampa Bay is 23-16-0 (46 points).
- The Lightning have been outshot by opponents 32 times, and went 20-7-5 (45 points).
Sabres Splits and Trends
- The Sabres have a 32-36-6 record this season and are 6-6-12 in matchups that have required overtime.
- Buffalo has earned 27 points (11-7-5) in its 23 games that finished with a one-goal margin.
- This season the Sabres scored just one goal in nine games and they've earned two points (1-8-0) in those contests.
- Buffalo has earned three points (1-14-1 record) this season when scoring two goals .
- The Sabres have earned 65 points in their 46 games with three or more goals scored.
- Buffalo has scored a lone power-play goal in 29 games this season and has registered 23 points from those matchups.
- When outshooting its opponent this season, Buffalo is 12-13-2 (26 points).
- The Sabres' opponents have had more shots in 46 games. The Sabres finished 20-22-4 in those contests (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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